Would anyone here have heard of the upgrading CC is writing about?

Not until I read your post. Would have guessed that 3G was already dead. But, a quick search shows that all providers are leaving 3G by early 2022.

 

I've removed all of the unnecessary formatting in your post which probably carried over from the email and displayed everything in tables. I also removed your last name since I'm not sure you want to publish your full name on the Internet.

 

Thanks so much! I didn't think I was cut and pasting any of that.

 

You're welcome.

 

My husband's old flip (which was mine and is from about 2005) will cease to work on January 1, 2022. Tjis is one of the last companies to retire 3G. (It was Virgin Mobile, moved to Sprint, then to Boost and finally Boost was bought out by Dish. I hear it will be acquired by AT&T in October!)
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g-cellular-networks-and-service

Someone I know with Verizon had to get 2 new phones in 2020.
You can use an old smart phone without cell service. Remove the SIM card. You'll get an error but the phone will be able to use wifi. You can use it as a camera, music player, etc. No need to throw it out just because you can't make calls over the old cell netowrk.

My husband doesn't want a smart phone; he wanted another flip phone. I decided not to go with Boost for him.
I went with Tracfone and the LG Classic flip.

It sounds like you were given a recycled phone number from Consumer Cellular, despite what they told you. I might be a new phone but not a new number.

 

That's a great idea on re-using the phones. Thanks!

We are trying to figure out what we want to do. I guess hubby better hurry because he's gonna be cut off soon.

 

When we first had a phone (it wasn't smart). We kept it near our car keys. Whoever went out alone, grabbed the phone.
You could do that until you decide on another phone. It isn't the best way to do things but I don't like to be forced into making quick decisions. I like reading reviews on hardware before I buy. I also asked two people one with Consumer Cellular and one with Tracfone what phone he/she was using and if he/she liked it.