Prepaid Internet Access: Where Is the Opportunity?

This IDC study considers the impact of prepaid Internet offerings on the Internet access market. Many markets in the region already offer prepaid dial-up Internet access in a bid to increase use of the service and, ultimately, migrate these subscribers to postpaid dial-up and, eventually, broadband access service. This study examines the current state of the market and discusses the potential for prepaid access in both the dial-up and broadband space.

"In the Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) or APEJ region, prepaid Internet access is widely used in key markets, particularly those with relatively low Internet use compared with more developed markets as well as economies that are showing increased economic activity," says Tim Crowley, research manager, Telecommunications Research, IDC Asia/Pacific. "Overall, service providers have been offering a wide range of Internet access packages based on price and service usage in an effort to expand their user base, both in terms of new Internet users, as well as to migrate current customers to more stable revenue streams."