And you can get them unlocked pretty easily.
even though it's unlocked, it can only be used as a dumb phone.
As far as I know, assuming your account is in good standing you just have to call support to get an unlock code. At least that is the way it used to be, I have not tried it with my note II yet, no need at the moment.
I just got off the phone with them and it is "claimed" that the phone is already sim unlocked. I explained to the rep that I have tried both an AT&T and T-Mobile sim with no luck. He explained that a foreign sim would work just fine.
you need to be rooted to do so
From my Galaxy Note 2 via Tapatalk
Bottom line then: when I travel to Europe this year, if I root the phone, I should be able to get a European carrier's SIM card and thereby have access to both voice and data service?