Why is it that in Europe and other places these don't seem to exist. Kind of like how over here certain carriers get certain phones exclusively. Yet I heard that's illegal in Europe. Does that mean that all the carriers get all the phones? Or do they have a drastically reduced selection? I'm sure there are other examples too, but that was the first that came to mind.

IDK but every one here in the middle east has 1 of 2 phones at least here in Kuwait its either a iPhone 4 or an old trackphone like one. All TCN workers and such like lower class have the trackphone all others have iPhones.

They do not get the "lower price with a two year contract" deals, they pay full price for the phones and get to pick what wireless company to contact via. A phone we pay 299 for with contract may cost 600-700 dollars at full price.