I fail to see your point call100 ???
So you have just basically re-said what I did about how handsets are financed.
So yes of course the provider will be tying you into a contract of xxx for yyy.
And is it wrong for the provider to tie the phone down - no its not. The point you most eloquently missed is the fact the handset needs to be paid for - if you think its going to be done by contract value then I am afraid your wrong.
Your network whichever your on needs to recoup the loss of providing you the device you use or indeed sold on. Our tarrifs reflect this and its why ppl say mobile calls are a rip off.
congrats on your example - your just another that has kept our tarrifs high