There is another option... If get a corporate discount (a FAN account) you can get an unlimited international data roaming contract for $64.99/mo for 12 months (early cancelation fee if you cancel in less than 12 months). (Note I don't have a corporate phone but do get my company's discount.) Pricey, but cheaper than $20K for 1 gb.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1548247

Also do you really need a GB when traveling? I generally use ~100 mb/mo at home. When I went international I got the 50 mb add-on ($60) and didn't use it all in 1 week. I would only using maps and apps, and occasional email on cell data (and did heavier browsing via wifi at the hotel). Note maps does a pretty decent job of caching map data for an area so using WiFi then cell data isn't so bad.