Pay-as-you-surf Internet access takes off

Dyre Straits · Dec 5, 2003, 04:36 PM

Prepaid Internet access is moving into the mainstream.

The business, just $30 million last year, is expected to almost double by 2004, says researcher In-Stat/MDR. It is being pushed by big players such as AOL (Parent: TWX), AT&T (T) and Sprint (FON) and smaller companies such as Budget Dialup and MaGlobe. This summer, Wal-Mart (WMT) started selling prepaid cards from AOL.

Services differ. To use them, you need a computer and a phone line. To get AOL prepaid, for example, consumers may buy a $14.99 starter kit at Wal-Mart, good for 500 minutes. The kit includes a software CD and log-in and password that specifies your account. Once installed, the software activates Web access, tracks your time and tells you when you're running out of minutes. More can be bought from AOL's Web site or by buying a refill card. Prepaid Internet targets:

By Michelle Kessler, USA TODAY

More here

Source: USA Today

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 5, 2003, 05:04 PM

lol internet calling cards basically lol

DriveEuro · Dec 5, 2003, 07:27 PM

Man, It'd cost me hundreds of dollars this way...

**MIG-31** · Dec 5, 2003, 07:34 PM

no thanks. but not too bad of a idea.all depends on how long you surf.

krazy1 · Dec 5, 2003, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DriveEuro
Man, It'd cost me hundreds of dollars this way...

I think more like Thousands for me..

-={420}=- · Dec 6, 2003, 03:32 AM

This is just another challenge for crackers.

Dec 5, 2003, 04:36 PM	#1
Dyre Straits HH Old Fuddy Duddy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 14,201 Rep Power: 216 System Specs	Pay-as-you-surf Internet access takes off Prepaid Internet access is moving into the mainstream. The business, just $30 million last year, is expected to almost double by 2004, says researcher In-Stat/MDR. It is being pushed by big players such as AOL (Parent: TWX), AT&T (T) and Sprint (FON) and smaller companies such as Budget Dialup and MaGlobe. This summer, Wal-Mart (WMT) started selling prepaid cards from AOL. Services differ. To use them, you need a computer and a phone line. To get AOL prepaid, for example, consumers may buy a $14.99 starter kit at Wal-Mart, good for 500 minutes. The kit includes a software CD and log-in and password that specifies your account. Once installed, the software activates Web access, tracks your time and tells you when you're running out of minutes. More can be bought from AOL's Web site or by buying a refill card. Prepaid Internet targets: By Michelle Kessler, USA TODAY More here Source: USA Today

Dec 5, 2003, 05:04 PM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	lol internet calling cards basically lol __________________

Dec 5, 2003, 07:27 PM	#3
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Man, It'd cost me hundreds of dollars this way... __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Dec 5, 2003, 07:34 PM	#4
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,843 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	no thanks. but not too bad of a idea.all depends on how long you surf. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Dec 6, 2003, 03:32 AM	#6
-={420}=- DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,095 Rep Power: 0	This is just another challenge for crackers. __________________ [COLOR=red]My eBay Auctions[/COLOR]