Any suggestions for low rate calls with a sim card from Western Europe to the USA. The one I have used in the past is $.99 per minute but there must be something less expensive then that.

You'll want to re-post over on the Europe Forum. cellphone/sim card issues are discussed every day on that board.

is there no international SIM card? in India, we have it

I usually buy a SIM when I get in Country but if you're hopping around Europe you have to get one in each Country or pay the roaming rates on the one you've got when get to a new Country. But when your SIM runs our of credit you can't buy more credit for it in another country, so you'd have to get a new one. They have multi-country SIM cards that work everywhere. I have a National Geographic one, but the rates on it aren't as good as local Country SIMs, but you don't have to keep switching. Good travels!

I'll gladly pay the prevailing rates for long distance not to carry a cell phone with me.

The point of going on holiday is just that, a holiday from the everyday world.

One does not need instant communication 24x365. I run from the thought of that happening to me.

EU Law dictates that you can't be charged xxx amounts of money while roaming... That being said, I've had good coverage with O², owned by Telefonica. I have heard bad things about their customer service (indeed, in their case, I shouldn't have to pay to call their customer service, yet I do, but still, you don't pay for calls received, just made). The worst thing would be to try and top up (what they call refilling your credit) with £££££ notes, since they only take British Credit/Debit Cards when topping up by phone, since more than likely, you'll be on prepaid. They usually include x amounts of minutes to a select number of countries, the US included (when I was there last in July '11, they had like 100 minutes included when I topped up £ 15). Also, if you're going to be in London, don't forget to get a Transport for London Card. Even if you're going to be there a few days, it does save some £££££ and you can use it on the Tube and iconic Double Decker Buses.