postpaid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'postpaid' is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used in the telecommunications industry to refer to payment arrangements where the customer pays for services after using them, as opposed to prepaid plans where customers pay in advance for a specific amount of usage. An example of the word 'postpaid' in a sentence could be: "I prefer a postpaid phone plan because I don't have to worry about running out of credit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It also dramatically expanded the market for mobile phones in poor countries.Themba Khumalo of MTN recalls the firm's launch of mobile services in South Africa in 1994, using the postpaid model.

The Economist

When mobile phones first came in, subscribers everywhere talked first and paid later (a model known as postpaid), so they had to be creditworthy.

The Economist

It included access to a server that contained personal information for consumers who applied for T-Mobile USA postpaid services or products, which require a credit check, from Sept. 1, 2013 through Sept. 16, 2015.

The New Yorker

Another postpaid envelope for our response-an American postpaid envelope to be sent to 432 Fourth Avenue.

The New Yorker

So far, at least, Telefónica is managing to hold Vivo's market lead as it attempts in Brazil and throughout Latin America to shift from lower-spending customers to more profitable users, anticipating the shift from prepaid voice to postpaid smartphone service.

The New York Times

Smartphones accounted for 36 percent of Verizon Wireless's postpaid subscriber phone base, up from 32 percent in the first quarter of the year.

The New York Times - Tech

In the last two quarters, since we launched Un-carrier, T-Mobile has grown faster than everyone else, and we have added more postpaid customers than Sprint, AT&T and Verizon combined.

The New York Times

It's very important to focus when you look at Sprint, postpaid churn is going up and will continue to go up because we have to take the number of Nextel numbers down to zero in a year.

The New York Times

When you tend to think about AT&T and Verizon, the Sprint brand is the one that competes most directly with them in the postpaid world.

The New York Times

I'm not saying there's no competition between Virgin and AT&T and Verizon postpaid.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It questions this prepaid/postpaid line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing mobile phone plans, clearly distinguish between "postpaid" and "prepaid" options to avoid confusion among readers unfamiliar with telecom industry terminology.

Common error

Avoid assuming all users understand the implications of a "postpaid" plan. Explicitly state that charges accumulate and are billed at the end of a billing cycle to prevent surprises and dissatisfaction among customers.

Linguistic Context

The word "postpaid" functions primarily as an adjective in the English language. It is used to describe a type of billing arrangement. Ludwig's examples illustrate how it modifies nouns like "model", "services", "subscriber", or "plan".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "postpaid" is a common adjective primarily utilized within the telecommunications sector to describe payment plans where customers are billed for services after usage. Ludwig confirms that "postpaid" is grammatically correct and frequently appears in reliable news sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The main distinction of "postpaid" is against "prepaid" services, where payment is upfront. In short, understanding "postpaid" is vital for navigating discussions about billing models and service agreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay-later plan

Indicates that there is a specific plan designed for later payments.

bill after service

Directly describes the process of receiving a bill following the service.

pay later

Focuses on the timing of the payment rather than a specific plan or service.

usage-based billing

Focuses on the fact that the payment is based on the actual usage of the service.

deferred payment

Emphasizes that the payment is delayed until a later date.

pay in arrears

A more formal term referring to the act of paying for something after it has been used or received.

payment upon invoice

Specifies the trigger for payment being the receipt of an invoice.

invoice-based billing

Focuses on the method of billing where invoices are generated and payments are due.

credit-based subscription

Highlights that the subscription relies on a credit system where usage is billed later.

services billed retroactively

Highlights that the billing happens after the services have already been delivered.

FAQs

How does a "postpaid" mobile plan work?

With a "postpaid" mobile plan, you use the services (calls, texts, data) throughout a billing cycle, and then receive a bill at the end of the cycle for your usage. This differs from "prepaid" plans, where you pay in advance.

What are the advantages of choosing a "postpaid" plan over a "prepaid" plan?

Common advantages of "postpaid" plans include potentially lower per-unit costs, the convenience of not having to constantly refill your account, and eligibility for certain phone financing options. However, they often require a credit check and a contract.

Are "postpaid" plans always more expensive than "prepaid" plans?

Not necessarily. While "postpaid" plans may have higher monthly fees, the actual cost depends on your usage patterns. If you use a lot of data or make frequent calls, a "postpaid" plan might be cheaper than constantly topping up a "prepaid" account.

What does "postpaid churn" mean in the context of mobile carriers?

"Postpaid churn" refers to the rate at which "postpaid" subscribers cancel or discontinue their service with a mobile carrier. It's an important metric for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction.