the cell phone industry seriously finessed our asses. we went from two year contracts to “no more contracts!” to “actually you need to sign a three year contract” in, what, eight years? https://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-three-year-contracts-3102045/
Contracts must be another US thing. Here we've only ever had prepaid plans. You stop paying, you lose service. You can switch carriers at any moment and keep your number. You're also on your own to buy a phone. Total freedom!
But at least you do get some cool oreo flavors over in the US.