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The ID is provided by the government for free, though. So I guess they will have to give you a phone for free, plus a free plan.

Western European here. ID is most definitely not provided for free.

Imagine you are broke and have to go to jail because you can't pay for your ID because you are broke.

Both of mine cost €0 (two seperate countries). The third doesn't require I carry I'd (despite what the cops would often try and have you believe).

In France, the ID card is free. Some other forms of ID (passport, ...) are not.