Re: [78attendees] Lessons we can take from the Internet connectivity fiasco in Maastricht...

[Ben Campbell <[e-mail]>]

On Jul 29, 2010, at 9:59 AM, <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> wrote:

> Dear all,
> 
>> A while back we were talking about getting a 3G service kiosk 
>> set up at future IETF meetings...
> 
> This is of course up to the organisers and the operators to consider since there is demand for it.
> 
> But for my own part, rather than holding my breath to wait for someone to optimise the cost of my connectivity for me, I use the usual excellent service provided at the meeting venue or the free internet service good enough for VoIP provided by my hotel. Outside WLAN coverage I just use my HPLMN SIM like I always do and of course it works fine, like it always does. 
> 
> Oh yes, it does cost money. I was never able to figure out the logic of spending thousands on flight tickets and hotels and then using hours of precious time to find a local USIM to save 25 €. I saved more than my phone bill for this whole month by spending just a few minutes to find among the meeting hotels the one that offers free WLAN. I must admit that was not my main criteria, but the location at the city centre.
> 
> Maybe I am missing something?

The US carriers tend towards very high data roaming charges. You can easily rack up charges in the multiple hundreds of euros range.