I read that you could buy your phone outright and get no commitment in Consumer Reports, the Jan or Dec issue. At least, that's what I read.

Further studies conducted by me calling customer support for each carrier gave me THIS information:

Sprint: will make you sign a two year commit if you bring in your own sprint phone. (Jerks.) So if you plan on signing up, at least get a free phone with your two year contract, then switch out the phone and sell it on ebay.

Alltel: will let you on a current price plan with no commitment. (This company has some things going well for them.)

T-Mobile: They will make you sign a one year agreement if you bring in your own phone. OR you can do "Flexpay", where you just pay the first month outright....
(continues)