Verizon Wireless Extends International CDMA Roaming

Verizon wireless has lowered prices, and increased the feasibility of international roaming for their subscribers. Using a new 3-band phone, callers can roam to over 9 countries, and per minute rates have dropped to 69 cents per minute in a number of destinations. This may sound expensive, but it is a major drop in international roaming rates, which are still as high as $4 per minute for some US customers abroad. Carriers have typically gouged the international roamer because: i) it usually is a corporate expense that is paid without much review, ii) there has been little price competition, iii) very few subscribers ever shop for phone service based on the international rates, but instead focus on domestic rates and "anytime minutes".