Prepaid versus Postpaid Mobile Connections
According to an article in Trek.in, published in 2013, mobile prepaid connections have the lion’s share of the Indian market. A study conducted by Nielsen showed that over 84% of smartphone users and 92% of feature phone users have “pay-as-you-go connections.” Also, most smartphone users have fixed data plans with a monthly charge and data usage limit. This demand is why there are so many prepaid mobile recharge options available today.
The Indian Scenario
The Nielsen study also showed that this preference is largely associated with developing countries. In developed nations like the UK, Australia and the US, contract based postpaid plans dominate the market. In America, only 15% and 30% of smartphone and feature phone users, respectively, choose prepaid mobile services.
A report by The Economic Times, back in 2009, says that this was not always the case. Earlier, postpaid plans were widely popular in the country. Once customers realized the benefits of prepaid plans (such as economical prepaid mobile recharge options), there was a change in preference. Many made the switch in early 2005, and this trend kept growing. According to the statistics by MobileDevelopmentIntelligence.com in 2013, India has a “pay-as-you-go connection” base of 95.40%. This amounted to only a mere 60% back in 2005.
Benefits of Pre-Paid Connections
The market share of the “pay-as-you-go connections” largely relate to its associated benefits. Here are a few advantages…
1. Fast Processing and Activation: The main advantage relates to the fact that activation of any service is immediate and convenient. Getting a new connection, making prepaid mobile recharge or activating a new service is quick and hassle free. You have the option of message activation, retail store and online support. In a postpaid plan, most new services can be activated only by talking to a customer care representative, which is time consuming.
2. Special Packs: In India, there are a number of special packs available for these plans, which makes it more attractive. Right from sharing your mobile recharge with friends to hourly call-plans, the options are extensive.
3. Less Expensive and More Economical: This type of connection is useful for those who just do not know when to keep the phone down. You talk for as much balance as you have. If your balance runs out, there ends your conversation. For prepaid mobile recharge emergencies, the network carrier offers a small credit (Rs 10/- or 15/-), which you can activate via a toll free message. So, you will not necessarily be stranded when your balance runs out. Also, these connections do not have any additional monthly fees.
According to an article in Trek.in, published in 2013, mobile prepaid connections have the lion’s share of the Indian market. A study conducted by Nielsen showed that over 84% of smartphone users and 92% of feature phone users have “pay-as-you-go connections.” Also, most smartphone users have fixed data plans with a monthly charge and data usage limit. This demand is why there are so many prepaid mobile recharge options available today.
The Indian Scenario
The Nielsen study also showed that this preference is largely associated with developing countries. In developed nations like the UK, Australia and the US, contract based postpaid plans dominate the market. In America, only 15% and 30% of smartphone and feature phone users, respectively, choose prepaid mobile services.
A report by The Economic Times, back in 2009, says that this was not always the case. Earlier, postpaid plans were widely popular in the country. Once customers realized the benefits of prepaid plans (such as economical prepaid mobile recharge options), there was a change in preference. Many made the switch in early 2005, and this trend kept growing. According to the statistics by MobileDevelopmentIntelligence.com in 2013, India has a “pay-as-you-go connection” base of 95.40%. This amounted to only a mere 60% back in 2005.
Benefits of Pre-Paid Connections
The market share of the “pay-as-you-go connections” largely relate to its associated benefits. Here are a few advantages…
1. Fast Processing and Activation: The main advantage relates to the fact that activation of any service is immediate and convenient. Getting a new connection, making prepaid mobile recharge or activating a new service is quick and hassle free. You have the option of message activation, retail store and online support. In a postpaid plan, most new services can be activated only by talking to a customer care representative, which is time consuming.
2. Special Packs: In India, there are a number of special packs available for these plans, which makes it more attractive. Right from sharing your mobile recharge with friends to hourly call-plans, the options are extensive.
3. Less Expensive and More Economical: This type of connection is useful for those who just do not know when to keep the phone down. You talk for as much balance as you have. If your balance runs out, there ends your conversation. For prepaid mobile recharge emergencies, the network carrier offers a small credit (Rs 10/- or 15/-), which you can activate via a toll free message. So, you will not necessarily be stranded when your balance runs out. Also, these connections do not have any additional monthly fees.