Strange. When I got my Kindle, it sounded like the "Whispernet tax" only applied when you bought books on the Kindle (so they were actually using Whispernet) outside of your home country. In other words, I'd be charged for Whispernet when using my US Kindle in Europe, but there would be no charge when I'm home (and there would be no charge if I bought via amazon.com and transferred via USB).
I had expected that the converse was true as well (a European would be charged for Whispernet in the US, but not in their home country and not when using USB). Since that isn't the case, I agree that sucks. I'm also more than a little surprised since it doesn't seem plausibly related to any actual cost Amazon bears.
FWIW, I'm in the UK and I've never heard of this whispernet tax before. Free books have been free ever since I got it (November). That might be related to there being a distinct "UK" edition of the kindle.
If you are in the EU but outside the UK (and I think Germany), you have to order books from Amazon.com. A free book costs $2 to deliver over whispernet
I had expected that the converse was true as well (a European would be charged for Whispernet in the US, but not in their home country and not when using USB). Since that isn't the case, I agree that sucks. I'm also more than a little surprised since it doesn't seem plausibly related to any actual cost Amazon bears.