Regional telecoms provider LIME has expanded its Internet offerings by affording local consumers a pay as-you-go option.

The service, which is available islandwide, allows users via USB modems to access wireless Internet service on their laptops, netbooks and web-enabled smartphones.

“With today’s active lifestyles there is a heavy demand for Internet connectivity on the go and now LIME’s customers can enjoy the convenience of wireless Internet service with the flexibility of a prepaid option,” says Geoff Houston, LIME managing director for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

“The beauty of this service is the versatility and convenience. If a customer from Kingston is going to be on the North Coast for a weekend they can get service for two or three days and be able to log on to the Internet from their laptop while they’re sitting on the beach,” adds Houston.

Indeed, having an active lifestyle is the preferred modus operandi in Jamaica today, but it’s anyone’s guess as to how valuable this new service is to the consumer. With this in mind Thursday Tech seeks to explain just how this plan works.

The plan is stratified into three tiers: the first is a one-day access for J$300, seven-day access for $1,250 and a 30-day access for $3,500.

Now that the rates have been listed, how does it all work?

To make use of these plans customers simply have to ensure that they have enough credit on their handset or wireless modem and then text ‘1day’, ‘7day’ or ’30day’ to the number 444-4255 and the relevant amount will be deducted from their balance and the service will be activated immediately, eliminating the need to visit a store or call care centre.

“LIME’s existing prepaid mobile customers can also access the service without purchasing any of the plans by simply using their handset or any other enabled device to browse the web and they will be billed on a ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ basis at a rate of $40 per MB,” Camille Taylor, LIME’s communications manager, advises.

Taylor believes that the Prepaid Mobile Internet service is a natural extension, especially since LIME introduced local surfers to a postpaid system, last year.

“The Internet has become pivotal for many of us with regard to work, school, entertainment and recreation… many of us want our Internet to move with us but a lot of us want the flexibility of prepaid to manage our spend,” Taylor shares.

But managing the spend — especially on a seven-day or 30-day plan from LIME in the face of cheaper options — can be difficult. Notwithstanding, Taylor assures that her brand affords options, since “everyone can choose the service plan that’s right for them”.

Her confidence remains as she further speaks to her network’s 3G capabilities.

“Our Prepaid Mobile Internet service affords customers an easy and convenient way to get access… customers can purchase whatever suits them if it’s six days or six months.”