US network AT&T’s international roaming program is the first to automatically connect customers to Wi-Fi hotspots via SIM authentication and we expect UK networks to follow suit soon.

Connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots via SIM authentication sets the stage for future business models based on Hotspot 2.0, Passpoint and Next Generation Hotspots. AT&T granted roaming customers on certain plans 1GB of free Wi-Fi service at select AT&T International Wi-Fi hotspots.

We see this as the beginning of a big trend of mobile operators leveraging Wi-Fi not just for domestic offload to ease congestion but in a roaming scenario as well to give better roaming rates to their end users.We also see it having a dramatic effect on network roaming revenues as more people adopt apps such as Rebtel to make cheap calls over WiFi.

However perhaps you would rather benefit from the advatages of a local SIM card. If this is the case then it may be worth checking out the SIMple case from kickstarter.