Just curious how did you get the CDMA part to work? Did you simply insert the SIM card or did you have to register via Verizon (or the carrier's) website (I'm assuming you mean Verizon when you say CDMA)? I know for CDMA you used to have to register the phone via Verizon website in order to get it to work, since there is no SIM card for CDMA registering your phone was always necessary.
That's interesting, I wonder if they are doing away with CDMA completely. Unless the new iPhone 6 has both CDMA and GSM built in for all carriers.
Verizon has had SIM cards since they introduced LTE. On LTE phones, they use the SIM to authenticate on both CDMA and LTE networks. Except it doesn't seem like the CDMA radio is disabled on the 6 and 6 Plus. My AT&T locked iPhone 6 Plus shows both IMEI and MEID.
Their current schedule for that is some time in 2021: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-sunset-2g-and-3g-cdma-networks-2021/2012-10-10 Sounds like a long time, but the reason for such a long delay is that Verizon has a LOT of embedded device customers. GM being one of them. Every OnStar-equipped vehicle prior to 2014 is equipped with a Verizon non-LTE cellular module.