It is common knowledge that internet access in both domestic and corporate life has become an indispensable asset, creating the need for the market to keep up with both download speed and low-cost solutions.

Telco’s are now readily offering more competitive rates and deals as the wireless broadband landscape continues to grow. The growth has been predominately driven by the mobile data (wireless broadband growth) and internet.

Citi Group Global Markets research publication, The Australian Telco Sector Updates, has reported that the uptake of wireless broadband has been far more popular than was originally thought with 35% of total mobile market growth being attributed to wireless broadband alone.

As competition continues to change, networks will be expected to keep prices competitive and provide new and improved solutions for their consumers. In the meantime, penetration of prepaid wireless broadband is on the rise and is set to continue for the rest of this decade, meaning broadband is going to become an essential product in your prepaid top ups range.

With a wide variety of pre-paid broadband products now on the market, it’s important as retailers, that you are aware of the benefits relating to the services offered for your customers.

Within pre-paid broadband, first launched by Optus in August 2008, we have seen remarkable sales results as this new category continues to grow strongly.

Telstra has reported that November to December prepaid broadband activations have had huge growth, while other key players such as Crazy Johns, Virgin and Hutchison 3 are definitely here to stay as they also report monumental growth within the category.

Pre-Paid Virgin Broadband launched in September 2008 and hit the ground running, Sales more than doubled over the next two months, with growth of 153% from October to November 2008 inclusively." Reports National Account Manager, Kathleen Gunther, Virgin Mobile Australia.

Crazy Johns have seen sales of their prepaid broadband product constantly on the rise, National Category Manager, Prepaid, Merv Kuek said, "We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our prepaid broadband product."

Although many wireless business users log onto post paid for their home or office, we are seeing an increase in prepaid solutions being utilized when on the move. 3 mobile launched in November 2008 and have already seen examples of these emerging trends;

We can see that these trends are now occurring globally from US market reports. For example; MetroPCS (prepaid wireless provider) has seen a 74% increase in year on year additions to their customer base. Whilst the major networks in the US are dominating, smaller internet companies like MetroPCS are taking advantage of the prepaid wireless phenomenon and are putting their stamp on the consumer base.Source - http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/business/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212701417&subSection=Management

Source:

• Citigroup Global Market report Australian Telco sector Update 12 September