... always wondered if the cell phone requirements are not (also) tied to then wanting an actual, physical, person behind each account - as in most EU jurisdictions each SIM card is tied to an actual ID.-
In many EU countries, you can buy sim cards from some vending machine, in a grocery store or places where you can buy international telephone cards. No ID required. But phone plans are often tied to your home internet.
are you sure no ID is required to activate the cards? at least in austria and i believe in germany you can't get a sim card without an ID.
If you get a lyca sim card, even there you don't need ID to use it. There might be some restrictions after a month though.