| Prepaid wireless service has gained | | | | These cards can be refilled as needed with |
| popularity because of the advantages it | | | | the use of credit cards. There are also |
| offers consumers. It has become an | | | | hybrid prepaid services. Unlike traditional |
| attractive alternative to wireless plans that | | | | prepaid services, recurring charges are added |
| often come with long-term contracts. | | | | in hybrid prepaid services. There may be |
| | | | additional services offered with hybrid |
| Aside from being bereft of contracts, prepaid | | | | prepaid services, but the advantage is that |
| services have also helped people budget the | | | | they still do not come with a long-term |
| costs of their phone bills. Through these, | | | | contract. Lastly, there are unlimited talk |
| parents can limit and control phone usage of | | | | time prepaid cards. These allow the users to |
| their children. Likewise, prepaid services | | | | make unlimited calls within a small local |
| have found their niche among people who plan | | | | area. This may prove to be a good |
| to use mobile phones solely for emergency | | | | alternative for landline users. Note, |
| situations. | | | | however, that roaming is not possible with |
| | | | such prepaid cards. |
| However, there are still some disadvantages | | | | |
| that go with prepaid wireless services. | | | | Before buying prepaid services, a user should |
| First, they are still more expensive compared | | | | first consider a number of things. If a |
| to postpaid services. Second, phones may | | | | person sees that he or she will frequently |
| prove to be more expensive as carriers do not | | | | used his or her phone to call people, it |
| offer as many services as they do with | | | | would be better to opt for a postpaid plan |
| postpaid plans. | | | | that offers lower call charges. Likewise, if |
| | | | the owner is a traveling person, it would |
| There are three available types of prepaid | | | | also be better to go with a postpaid plan. |
| wireless services on the market today. First | | | | Prepaid plans are usually not capable of |
| is the traditional prepaid service wherein | | | | roaming service, and even if they are, they |
| the user will buy a phone and air cards. | | | | might be way too expensive. |