Is it advisable to buy phones upfront?

if you heard of anything from our government limiting cellphone contracts?
please message me what bad experiences have you had with a cell contract?

Disclaimer I am aware that companies charge contracts to ensure they recover their money on new technology phones that cost like $500-$800 range iphone/blackberry/anything like that. But I think its unfair when you have basic phone for voice only and they want $480 to cancle a $80 phone to begin with.

If you think companies should do away with contracts? should you buy the phone upfront? what would you like to see that government control on cell based contracts?