The truth is, reps can tell you anything they want right now. They don't know too much more than the general public does, and what they do know is so fragmented (I work in retail, I know how the info trickles down).
When you (the customer) are so excited and you walk into VZW with the upgrade you've been anxiously "holding in your hand" for six months, to pick up one of these new beasts of a phone you've had your eye on... and then the rep says, "Oh, by the way, your plan is going to increase by "X" number of dollars..." more than likely, you'll do it.
I'm not sure if Verizon is revealing any new, 3G only phones this week. The current lineup of phones are "expiring" in March, or around then, if they don't release more 3Gs, eventually 4G will be your only option and that's when we are all standing over that great big proverbial "barrel"...
I hope VZW proves me wrong... I hate paying unnecessary money for something I consider an "extra" like my cell phone.