SMS Setup

I am looking at setting up SMS notifications in the event we lose our primary connectivity but can't seem to find a whole lot of information on this. My primary questions are....

1. We use Verizon for cell connectivity (cdma) and all the sms modems I see are gsm which I understand to not be compatible, how are others doing this without having to go to completely new carrier?

2 Can you somehow use a phone as a modem for this? Do you need special software and cables to do so?

3. Is there any documentation on setting this up, a quick search of the forums showed only old information that doesn't look applicable to the newest versions?

Thanks
Josh