Same thing in the UK - using my O2 pay as you go in Spain is cheaper than a pay as you go in Spain for voice/sms, also using my UK phone in Spain for voice/sms is cheaper than using it in the UK.
Mobile pricing is mental - completely detached from technological restriction or infrastructure cost.
Also, some provider in EU ( as in France ) are making roaming free in most Europe already. However, unlike what the article suggested, you need to live in France to get them ( and remember the terrorists - you don't want to add yourself to some government shit-list just to save a few euro on holidays )
I was referring to top-ups. Top-ups in France are crazy expensive, most major carriers charge over 30 cents per minute without a monthly plan and that's well over the current max for roaming.
Are you sure? How come your French phone is cheaper then?
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Italian phones were overpriced. A lot of things are there, IME.