You live in the US don't you? In most of the world phone and subscription are not tied at all. If I want a phone, I go buy one. If I want a new plan, I go sign up for one. It's really that simple most places not the US. For reference, it's called a working market.

I'm already annoyed at Apple for tying the iPhone to iTunes. There's no need for them to tie in even more bullshit.