Here in Canada you can just go to any provider and get a plan with no contract (provided your phone runs on their network). It's similar to what happens after your 2-3 year contract runs out; you keep the same plan and can bail out at any time. The fun thing (for me) is looking at all the ways you can combine different parts of plans that you couldn't before (I was a customer service rep for Bell for a while). For smart phones in BC most every 3-year contract you need a $50/month minimum plan, but you can do it for less if you're not on contract.
I recently tried to bail halfway through a 3 year contract in BC as I am going traveling for a while. They let me pair my contract down to $25 a month and unlocked my phone for $50 so that I can use it anywhere. Wasn't too bad, either way I am getting hit for having a 3 year contract, this way I pay monthly instead of all at once.