Mobile Internet in the EU?

walmergreen

I asked the Three guy how to access an ISP in the UK via an 0845 number to download a few emails whilst in France using a handheld computer connecting via the mobile phone. He said it would cost £1.60 pm to download data via an international call. Hmm! As the cost for calls is now capped at 25P per minute for outgoing within the EU, and 10p per minute incoming within the EU.....this seemed a bit heavy. My experience of using the phone internet is that it is very slow and if it does actually work, the extra time involved just racks up per minute charges. I talked to AOL about their international access system but this works out at £2.50 per hour, and I presume on top of any operator charges.

Apart from using internet cafes etc, does anyone know of an acceptable method of accessing the internet without paying 'rip off' charges whilst in the EU? I'm thinking of anyone who might have knowledge of purchasing a local sim card, and using a local ISP to overcome the ridiculous charges involved.
Grateful for any info
Cheers
Alex