It has been common knowledge for months now.
Sorry you were caught surprised, but you were being warned and a simple call to your carrier or a search that 3g was being phased out would have been helpful
Your right, my mother has/had a Tracphone. Watched her charge it two days ago ago and this morning it was dead. Did not pay much attention until I read your post. Looked at the phone and there is no service. This is a good thing, I can finally get her a real phone.