Rates I have experienced

Have you ever looked into AT&T's International plans, they do have cheaper plans to call Europe and any other county & Cingular had worked out a deal with AT&T Corp. for International calling if i remember correctly.

 

Maybe since T-Mobile is actually a carrier from Europe they can offer these lower fees, or they just want to get more customers. I do understand where your coming from on the rates though, it doesn't make alot of sense.

 

Tmobile is the "low cost leader" for the industry. But guess what, they are neither the bigest nor the fastest growing carier in the industry. In the wireless industry, price is a major factor yes, but its not the only one.

 

The rates vary by the carrier that I am roaming on. What I am showing is the current rates for peak (off-peak) for the highest and lowest roaming partners. My GSM carrier is FarEasTone of Taiwan. I added the T Mo rates for roaming from the US for comparison.

Roaming in Hong Kong
Local calls: $.32 - $.34/min
Incoming calls: $.62 - $.63
(T Mo is $1.49)

Roaming in Singapore
Local calls: $.125 - $.25/min
Incoming calls: $.51 - $.64
(T Mo is $1.49/min)

Roaming in Malaysia
Local calls: $.55 - ($.21)/min
Incoming calls: $.75 - $.85
(T Mo is $1.99/min)

Roaming in Thailand
Local calls: $.62 - $.65/min
Incoming calls: $1.16 - $1.17
(T Mo is $1.49)

Roaming in UK
Local calls: $1.00 - ($.17)/min
Incoming calls: $.41
(T Mo is $.99/min)

Roaming in Germany
Local calls: $1.23 - ($.40)/min
Incoming calls: $.46
(T Mo is $.99/min)

Roaming in Hollland
Local calls: $.88 - ($.25)/min
Incoming calls: $.60
(T Mo is $.99/min)

Roaming in Switzerland
Local calls: $.91 - ($.65)/min
Incoming calls: $.96
(T Mo is $.99/min)

 

For international calls I use prepaid service http://www.worldcheapcalls.com
Cheap rates, no fee or PIN.

 

If you make a lot of international calls, I would go with VOIP company like Vonage. They have by far the best rates for international. Neighbor has Vonage and their family lives in Germany. Saves them a ton of money.

 

I use it for international calls from my cell and rates @ vonage higher than
here http://www.worldcheapcalls.com

 

I think it cheaper for T-mobile due to it's parent company being A european wireline and mobile provider. I'm pretty sure they have favorable agreements in place throughout Europe. So i think this is the reason that T-mobile is cheaper.

 

See review prepaid wireless service from variety operators ATT, Cingular, T-Mobile, Boost and etc.