Which all-Europe SIM card/phone vendor?

I have used Mobal on several trips. This year, I will be using Eurobuzz (owned by Mobal). The rates are a little cheaper than Mobal, but it has the same, simple direct-dial operation and great call quality. Mobal and Eurobuzz are postpaid, which means you don't have to buy minutes ahead of time - calls are billed to a credit card as you make them.

Tom, Several years ago, I had the same questions so started looking at many "travel phone" firms including Roam Simple, Call In Europe, Cellular Abroad, Telestial and Mobal (there are others, but these are the ones I can recall). After looking at all the websites and comparing rates and features I chose one, mostly as an "experiment" to see whether I'd like the service. I've now used this for my last two trips to Europe, and I've been very pleased with the service so far. As with many "travel SIM's", the number is based in the U.K., and billing is on a post-paid basis (charged to a credit card). Although I'm now using an iPhone, I'll probably continue with it this year. One "risk" with post-paid plans, is that if the phone is lost or stolen, the user is normally responsible for calls until the loss is reported. I watch my phone VERY closely, so that hasn't been a problem. The one I chose was Roam Simple, for a variety of reasons. My suggestion would be to look at AS MANY of the firms as possible, and decide which one works best for you based on price, features, etc. You didn't indicate which countries you'll be travelling in "all over Europe", but one point to note is that calling plans are arranged in "zones". Rates are lowest in Zone 1 countries (most of western Europe), but will be higher in other zones such as countries in eastern Europe. As you've noted, texting is less expensive than voice calls and that's the method I use most of the time for keeping in touch with family and friends back home. Received texts are usually free, which is nice! When you buy a quad-band phone, be sure to check the Charger to ensure that it's designed for "world operation". You will of course need Plug Adapters. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks Ken and Nancy too. Decisions decisions....

2nd reply, to clarify my OP: Frankly, after looking at rates from some of the companies, my sense is that considering the total amount I expect to spend on 7 weeks of hotels/hostels, meals, train tickets all around Europe, etc., the differences in rates for the few phone calls I might make at all while I'm there aren't worth worrying about. My main concerns are convenience, and buying a sim card per country is not what I consider convenient; call quality; and help in English if I need it. I'm trying to find out if any one particular provider--Mobal, Telestial, whoever--is much better in these areas than most of the others, or if they're all pretty much equal.

Tom, it looks like you've settled on one of the travel phone companies so I'll be brief: With only minimal usage, a U.S. based phone company may be almost as cheap. It certainly will be easier and more convenient for folks at home to contact you. T-Mobile and AT&T accounts will work in Europe with the right phones. Verizon will, too, but you likely will need to get a loaner phone from Verizon. Prepaid accounts with these companies used to not work, although I've read that has changed recently or is changing for at least some of the companies. You used to be able to get a "contract" account with T-Mobile or AT&T that didn't require actually entering into a long-term contract. Not sure if those are still available. Using a U.S. account is expensive, though, with calls billed at $1, $2 or more depending on your plan and where you are. I personally use a U.K. T-Mobile account in my travels. It has the best rates for some uses, especially data. It does require a bit of knowledge and a bit of every work, so it is not for everyone. You can use the phone all over Europe, though, so there is no need to get a SIM card in every country you visit. It actually works like the travel phone companies, although recharging your account requires some work.

Thx Paul. Actually, my US cell phone IS with Verizon, but I checked and they won't loan me a GSM phone for longer than 30 days. And I certainly will not change from Verizon to non-Verizon here in the US just for this trip. So I'm going to stick with my original plan to "acquire" a capable phone and appropriate SIM card, whatever all that turns out to be! And as I said, all things considered, a few bucks more here or there won't show up in my overall budget. I appreciate your help!