Why not buy an unlocked phone and just like the guy said buy the chip from the country you're in to save money.
Because as the dude stated most Sheeple do know they have options .... FYI if your account is in good standing past 6 months on a current contract and you have a GSM or Multi band Phone you can "Usually" call CS and get the Code to Unlock your phone ..... and Until Recently phones were single network only here in the USA - amazingly Europe and Asia has had Tri and Quad Band Phones for awhile now .......
I bought my Razor V3 off of Ebay Unlocked for $85 Bucks + Shipping .... took the SIM Card out of my crappy freebie Cingular Phone and popped it right in and booted up.
I plan on getting another SIM Card on a prepaid plan and leave the freebie in the Glove Box of my Jeep with the Power Adap for Emergencies ...