Number of pages: 61

Published: October 2021

About the Report

In this report Telecomspricing analyses the PrePay and PostPay services available in six selected markets including France, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the USA and examines the differences in products in each market. PrePay services are adopting some of the characteristics of PostPay markets.

PrePay versus PostPay services in six markets worldwide In most markets users have migrated towards PostPay services, but recently MNOs have started to promote PrePay services as a no commitment alternative. In Italy and the USA MNOs offer a no commitment plan alternative with an auto-pay mechanism using a credit or debit card which is renewable every month. Both PrePay and PostPay plans are offering a similar bundle of calls, SMS and mobile data. Additionally, MNOs are starting to invest in the PrePay market, most clearly with Verizon’s purchase of the US MVNO TracFone. In Japan povo, a sub-brand of KDDI, provides a low-cost SIM only service, following LINE mobile and Yahoo Mobile, sub-brands of Softbank. In a number of markets, the established MNOs are now introducing high PrePay bundles of mobile data, including O2 Telefonica Germany & AT&T – but PrePay pricing remains expensive when compared with Post Pay.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction – What are the differences between PrePay & PostPay services

2. France – PrePay & PostPay services

3. Germany – PrePay & PostPay services

4. Italy – PrePay & PostPay services

5. Japan – PrePay & PostPay services

6. Singapore – PrePay & PostPay services

7. USA – PrePay & PostPay services

8. Conclusions

A list of Figures 

Figure 1 – A pie chart showing Orange France PrePay and PostPay subscribers – Q2 2021 Figure 2 – A picture showing the Orange PrePay Cards from Euro €5 up to Euro €30 value - France
Figure 3 – A picture showing the SFR PrePay 5G card (95 GB mobile data, unlimited calls & SMS) – France
Figure 4 – A table comparing selected SFR & Orange PrePay & PostPay pricing
Figure 5 – A pie chart showing German PrePay and PostPay subscribers – Q2 2021
Figure 6 – A picture showing the 10 GB Blau mobile plan - Germany
Figure 7 – A picture showing the O2 my Prepaid Max plan – Germany
Figure 8 – A picture showing the online tool for adjusting Congstar bundles of SMS and calls for PrePay bundles - Germany
Figure 9 – An online advertisement showing the Fraenk mobile app plan - Germany
Figure 10 – A table comparing selected Telekom & O2 Telefonica PrePay & PostPay pricing Figure 11 – A table showing Italy’s PrePay and PostPay users in in percentage – Q1 2021 Figure 12 – A graphic showing the Iliad GIGA 120 mobile plan - Italy
Figure 13 – A graphic showing the Poste Mobil 30 GB mobile data plan – Italy
Figure 14 – A table showing the costs of the Poste Mobile Creami Relax 20 & 20 Super plans
Figure 15 – A menu graphic showing the pricing provided for numbers ported to Ho from Tiscali
Figure 16 – A picture showing the Vodafone Smart Pay service – Italy
Figure 17 – A picture showing the povo PrePay service – Japan
Figure 18 – A graphic showing the UQ Mobile plans (based on a 24-month term) – Japan Figure 19 – A picture showing the NTT docomo Welcome Japan SIM – Japan
Figure 20 – A table showing the charges for the NTT docomo 5G Gigaho Premier plan – Japan
Figure 21 – A table showing the NTT docomo 5G Gigalight plan – Japan
Figure 22 – A chart showing the variable Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI variable plan – Japan
Figure 23 – A picture & table showing the Softbank PrePay Travel SIM options - Japan Figure 24 – A table showing the Softbank Mini Fit Plan Plus – Japan
Figure 25 – A pie chart showing Singtel PrePay and PostPay subscribers in per cent – Q2 2021
Figure 26 – A picture showing the M1 Mobile SGD $12 all in 1 SIM product – Singapore Figure 27 – A graphic showing the M1 Mobile online tool for selecting PostPay bundles Figure 28 – A graphic showing the Singtel 120 GB PrePay plan – Singapore
Figure 29 – A picture showing the YAY! Monthly plan with 50 GB as a promotion – Singtel Singapore Figure 30 - A table comparing selected Singtel and TDG PrePay & PostPay pricing Figure 31 – A pie chart showing USA PrePay and PostPay subscribers in per cent – Q2 2021 Figure 32 – A picture showing the AT&T PREPAY USD $25 per month offer online – USA Figure 33 – A chart showing a comparison of Verizon PrePay plans – USA
Figure 34 - A table comparing selected Cricket Wireless, Metro, AT&T & T-Mobile PrePay & PostPay pricing
Figure 35 – The range of French PrePay pricing in Euro p/m & Mobile Data in GB per month
Figure 36 – The range of German PrePay pricing in Euro p/m  & Mobile Data in GB p/m
Figure 37 – The range of Italian PrePay pricing in Euro p/m & Mobile Data in GB per month
Figure 38 – The range of Japanese PrePay pricing in JPY p/m & Mobile Data in GB p/m
Figure 39 – The range of Singaporean PrePay pricing in SGD per month & Mobile Data in GB per month
Figure 40 – The range of USA PrePay pricing in USD per month & Mobile Data in GB p/m 
Figure 41 – A table showing the currency rates used in this report
Figure 42 – A table showing a list of MNOs and MVNOs included this report

Other topics covered as part of the 2021 Tariff Trend Report Series