Worldwide, 2G is being shut down, not just the US. The primary reason is that carriers want to re-use the 2G spectrum for 3/4G. You can buy a Samsung/Chinese 3

Worldwide, 2G is being shut down, not just the US. The primary reason is that carriers want to re-use the 2G spectrum for 3/4G. You can buy a Samsung/Chinese 3G candybar format phone for $30, which gives good battery life.