Verizon Wireless customers are experiencing a 3G outage nationwide. Some have been able to rectify the issue by unplugging their battery and plugging it back in, while others are still having a complete outage - both voice and data. (Verizon) Blackberry users are also offline, so no email access. Ironically, today Verizon Wireless put out a release how they've increased wireless broadband capacity on its Rochester, NY area network. Perhaps whomever did this upgrade took down the entire nationwide network? 
As an IT and telecom guy, I know I've had my share of mess ups.Also in this release it says: "The company's "nation's most reliable wireless network" reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country". Great timing, Verizon Wireless.
More:
TMCnet
Not surprising as they have hundreds of cities across the US where they claim service available and it is not. See this map and blog article at Deadzones.com
http://deadcellzones.com/verizon.html
http://www.deadzones.com/2010/03/false-advertising-of-service.html