More specifically, UMTS uses W-CDMA as an underlying technology. Its structure is very similar to GSM and has also been refered to as "3GSM," hence the evolution to UMTS instead of CDMA2000, which is the 3G progression of CDMA. Verizon very obviously employs 3G technology, as do the others mentioned in the original story.

Actually, There are 3 forms of number portability: (1) Service Provider Portability, which allows you to change providers and keep your number, (2) Geographic Portability, which allows you to do the same across rate centers and large geographic areas, and (3) Service Portability, which allows you to change service (like Centrex to POTS) and keep your number with the same provider. That 3rd version may not be of any importance to the standard residential user, but it will be very important in the near future to small business owners and corporations.