people don't buy phone without contract because they can't. The operators would be fools if they made that a good deal. In brazil it was like that. everyone bo

people don't buy phone without contract because they can't. The operators would be fools if they made that a good deal. In brazil it was like that. everyone bought phones along 2yr contracts "because they need to have a plan anyway". prices were always rising. it was a joke. then the regulatory agency said that you had to allow number portability between operators and added limits to contract breach fines. lot's of people would change ships every 2yr. or 1yr. or even sooner if the fine (1month) was worth the change in price. now in brazil you can buy a SIM card in a newstand for US$5. which includes $4.5 in prepaid credit. put into your cellphone, and use unlimited data for 24h for a mere $.25 that would be unthinkable if the operators still 'owned' everyones phone number and hold them for a minimum of 2yr. i left there on the first year after this regulation, and i was already paying for unlimited data on FIVE lines the same that i'm paying for AT&T in california for two lines.