Today, the Internet has become more of a necessity than a luxury, with many households having at least one way of connecting to it. This popularity, in turn, has most Internet Service Providers upping the ante just to get a bigger share of the market.
The result is a more affordable Internet service for consumers – the prepaid Internet connection. Industry experts from is.co.za say connectivity services in Africa increased significantly due to this. The question is, is it also for you?
What is a Prepaid Connection?
Just like a prepaid mobile plan, prepaid Internet allows users to have more control of the amount they spend for Internet connection. In most cases, the user would need a USB dongle that contains an Internet SIM. Depending on the provider, the user would need to either dial a certain number or click on a specific menu to get a connection.
Unlike a post-paid Internet connection, users of prepaid plans need not worry about monthly bills. What’s more, most plans of this type provide lower per-minute rates. It’s also the practical choice for businessmen who are always on the go.
Prepaid or Postpaid?
The decision whether to go pre-paid or post-paid depends on a number of things – your browsing behavior, your budget, and the reliability of the Internet service provider itself. Here are some helpful tips to make an informed choice:
- If you use the Internet only for checking emails and browsing websites once in a while, going for a pre-paid connection might be more sensible. It can be quite impractical to have a monthly subscription when you need your connection for a little less than a few hours per day.
- Postpaid is a better idea for those who reside in areas where over-the-air Internet connection tends to be unreliable. Prepaid connection typically makes use of over-the-air transmission. This means there might be places with low signal. Now, post-paid plans usually make use of a more reliable and always “on” connection.
- Prepaid is most suitable to those with credit problems. Generally, postpaid subscriptions require applicants to undergo credit checks. A prepaid plan may not require this.
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before making your final decision, weigh all your options to see which one will cater to your requirements.