IMO you're better off sticking with Verizon. Their roaming rates are comparable (T-mobile is cheaper in Europe by .50/minute but MUCH more expensive in other parts of the world... Verizon is an absolute bargain in the former USSR) and they can get you 'same number' roaming in both Europe AND Japan. While you would use different handsets in each place, your number would remain the same. In the case of Europe (or indeed any GSM location) you could use any GSM phone and would have a Verizon/Vodafone SIM which would carry your Verizon number. For Japan, you would have a J-phone PDC handset which would be coded to your Verizon number.

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 05-16-2003).]