If you're a Verizon customer in the U.S. and are contemplating using data on your smartphone while traveling in Europe, they recently lowered their rates. When I last checked about a month ago, they offered 25 Mb for $30 a month, or 70 Mb for $100 a month. Now, they offer 3 options: 50 Mb for $30 150 Mb for $75, and
300 Mb for $125. This is a move in the right direction; instead of charging an arm and a leg, they charge most of one arm and a foot.
These new rates are about double what I paid this summer using T-Mobile U.K. and roaming in Germany, but they are a big improvement over what has been offered in the past. Here's hoping this is a new trend. Also, another positive development, T-Mobile is now letting users of its prepaid service in the U.S. roam in Europe (with some limitations). It used to only let users roam in Canada and Mexico. The rates are still pretty horrible, but at least you can finally have a chance of using the phones.
It's better but still not as good as their old $69/month unlimited data plan.