[adam917]

Yes I have heard of them apps before & obviously unless I have an unlimited SMS plan and leave the phone & SIM at home and always running for the entire time I will be abroad, such a solution won't work for me.

I have a Google Voice account w/ US number. Anything I can do with that that's useful in this context?

Hmm I just thought of a solution that can apply to me but likely not many others unless they have a UMA phone w/ a compatible operator: use WiFi whilst abroad & the phone will convert the WiFi signal into what appears to be local service anywhere I can get WiFi. I heard this doesn't work for Canadian users on Rogers as Rogers only allows Canadian IP addresses but it does work for me on T-Mobile USA as T-Mobile allows UMA to be used world-wide.