The carrier's 3G network is due to go offline at the end of 2022

By Chris Welch

After a few delays, Verizon seems poised to actually follow through on
shutting down its 3G CDMA network at the end of this year. But the
carrier is still contending with a subset of customers who sat out the
4G LTE era and haven't yet upgraded their 3G phones. So, as 2022 rolls
onward, Verizon is sending those wireless subscribers a free extremely
basic flip phone to prevent them from losing connectivity when the 3G
network goes offline.

According to its website, Verizon will provide customers with one of
three phones: the Orbic Journey V, TCL's Flip Pro, or the Nokia 2720 V
Flip. The retail value for each of those devices is under $100: the
Orbic is $99.99, with the other two running $79.99.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/8/23200109/verizon-free-4g-lte-flip-phones-3g-customers

***** Moderator's Note *****

I used to have a "4G LTE" "Smart" phone. My wife lost her phone, so I
gave her mine. Verizon announced that they are retiring their 3G
network, and I shrugged my shoulders and wondered when the "4G LTE"
phone would need to be replaced.

Then, Verizon sent us a letter saying that the "4G LTE" phone wasn't
"4G LTE" enough for them, and that I'd have to replace it before the
end of the year because it won't work after the election - Um, no,
sorry, I mean, after their boys are back in power - um, no, sorry, I
mean, after the end of this year.

Dear reader, I'll bet every penny in my pockets against every penny in
yours that the percentage of "3G" users that Verizontal is giving
"free" replacement phones to is miniscule when compared to the
percentage of "4G LTE" users they intend to screw.

Bill Horne
Moderator