CDMA data cards are still listed on Trademe.  I can't find anywhere on the Telecom site to suggest I could still connect one of those older units.

I have a need for minimal, irregular mobile broadband access.  I'm guessing it would work out to less than 20 hours a year, and not exactly high data consumption during that time either.  In short, the various wifi outlets aren't an option (not reliable enough and not available where I need them).

I had a PCMCIA card on a now obsolete (but still active) CDMA data plan - nice and cheap and perfect.  A laptop upgrade means I'm limited to express or USB.  The old CDMA plans were expensive enough for the minimal access I require but I could have lived with it had I been able to connect a 2nd hand Tstick or something but that no longer seems possible.  XT pricing is even worse for my situation.

I did consider a data capable cellphone as a modem connected via USB (Touch, Apache, Boss, etc) but again - can't connect them on prepay.  One Bill, perhaps?  Even still, battery life may be an issue, what a hassle having to have the thing charged whenever I went out and about with a laptop.

Perhaps Vodafone's Prepay mobile broadband is the only option?