I think that "get screwed" is a bit harsh. Mobile operators in Europe (and in Ireland, specifically, where I have the most experience) cheerfully sell you unlimited voice and SMS bundles, just like in the States. I have a Meteor number ("area code" 085) that can call any other mobile Irish number for exactly 0.00EUR/minute and it costs me 20EUR/month, or 10EUR if all I want to do is talk and use pay-per-use rates for data and text. Heck, 30EUR will get me all of the above for a zero-rate.
It all comes down to the system you're used to. I'm used to the US system so it seems "odd" that I pay to make a call in Europe. Then again, with a mobile phone in the States that doesn't have unlimited SMS or voice, I pay to originate the voice or text contact all the same, _and_ the recipient pays, too. Know what numbers plumbers advertise on the side of their vans in Ireland? Mobile numbers, readily identified when starting with 083-089.
Number portability is, simply, what it is. Initially, number portability in the States was only allowed between wireless numbers until years later when WLNP was allowed. Even then, you could only port numbers between carriers with facilities in the same area/local code. It's only been in the past six years or so that nationwide, wireless number porting has been a reliable thing and only really because cellular systems in the States have grown so large with so many regional ratecenter connections. Landline number porting still takes almost two weeks with some carriers, if it even works.
By "get screwed" I meant the total charges for a call - ie adding together what the callers and recipients pay. The callers can't avoid the charges, and aren't a customer of the recipient's carrier. This means there is little competitive pressure to lower the termination rates, and ultimately regulators have stepped in. It is far preferable that rates automatically dropped as a result of competition.
It all comes down to the system you're used to. I'm used to the US system so it seems "odd" that I pay to make a call in Europe. Then again, with a mobile phone in the States that doesn't have unlimited SMS or voice, I pay to originate the voice or text contact all the same, _and_ the recipient pays, too. Know what numbers plumbers advertise on the side of their vans in Ireland? Mobile numbers, readily identified when starting with 083-089.
Number portability is, simply, what it is. Initially, number portability in the States was only allowed between wireless numbers until years later when WLNP was allowed. Even then, you could only port numbers between carriers with facilities in the same area/local code. It's only been in the past six years or so that nationwide, wireless number porting has been a reliable thing and only really because cellular systems in the States have grown so large with so many regional ratecenter connections. Landline number porting still takes almost two weeks with some carriers, if it even works.