If Prepaids replaced Postpaid, what would it look like?

[makkahn28]

I was thinking, and imagining, what would the Telecom sector look like if Prepaids ultimately replaced Postpaid, all the bells and whistles, BUT no credit checks, grace periods, and the Roam was done by Add-On Only, and Short Code stuff was still accessable, and Cruise Roam stuff, theoretically what would it be like, and would it create some interesting twists?

Also, IF Carriers adopted the Online Only formula, what would the landscape be like? Positive, Negative?

Would it work work, fail, revolutionize the sector?

Just curious, I think Canada should consider such an approach, maybe this might solve many of the problems with over pricing and perhaps foster some real competition.

What's your take?

[makkahn28]

I think this should be the new direction, Unless PPL want the Freedom to contract, which I think is more or less obtuse

PM has created a unique form, and I wish other Carriers would hop on, who needs the Ol Pizza Hutt, when Online is the future, and Handsets will eventually be cost effective, I think honestly the Manufacturers are inflating the cost of handsets.

Look at Alcatel, Idol 3, $369 when I bought, and specs were exactly what I was looking for, On a Named brand, fee goes up, so, I think Canada needs to possibly take the leap of faith

[SD08]

At a glance:

With the online only formula, there'd be a lot more price plans similar to PM's. If these plans were  common, there wouldn't be crazy pile-ons for such deals, resulting in porting/activation backlogs.  People would actually be able to calmly wait for the best deals at their leisure. 

With the online only formula, there'd be more room in the malls without the kiosks, or maybe they'd be replaced by kiosks serving other sectors.

Big box stores like Best Buy and Walmart would sell more unlocked phones without contracts.

[Pillzberri]

There would be no subsidy on phones. Some people would rather go in a contract and pay less upfront for the phone and more per month. Simply because they can't afford to pay so much upfront for premium devices.