Just read this
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,365347,00.html
And the paragraphs here interested me:
The way i see it thats just not right - for example us europeans paying for these high end phones just isnt true - we have always, on most contracts got even the newest phones for free, and even our contract's seem better than your ones
EG i plan to get this 3g iphone next week, and will be getting the iphone for free, then paying the equivilant of $90 per month for 1000 minutes, 500 sms and unlimited data. It's also only an 18 month contract rather than 24 like yours.
Have your mobile (cell) phone companies been ripping you off?