Business Wire

DING

27.1.2021 12:12:04 CET | Business Wire | Press release

Share
Phones, Payments and the Pandemic: Covid’s Impact on How We Communicate and Spend Money

The release of the Inaugural Ding Global Prepaid Index (GPI) has produced unexpected findings of an untapped market with high growth potential that has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This bi-annual global study commissioned by Ding , the world’s largest mobile top-up service, examines the views of 7,000 respondents across the US, the UK, France, KSA, UAE, Qatar, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines, regarding their engagement in the prepaid market and their attitudes towards it. The prepaid market is defined as people who use prepaid mobile billing; prepaid financial products such as prepaid credit cards; prepaid utility bill payment, or prepaid gift cards / vouchers.

Market Intelligence - what the report tells us

This report is telling: 79% of respondents use at least one prepaid service, while 45% use two or more; prepay is seen as a more flexible way to engage the services they need and want rather than bill pay (or postpay) options. Prepaid mobile bills account for the highest usage (61%), followed by prepaid utility bills (31%), prepaid vouchers and gift cards (19%) and prepaid financial products such as a prepaid visa card (17%).

While many assume that the prepaid market primarily serves those in a lower income bracket, the study has revealed that a high number across all income brackets engage in prepaid services. In fact, higher-income earners use prepaid products most, with 84% of respondents in this bracket stating they use prepaid services. This result is relatively high across the board, with 78% of low-income earners using prepaid services as do 79% of medium-income earners.

“The Global Prepaid Index has revealed the enormous market potential for prepaid products,” said Mark Roden, Chief Executive and Founder of Ding. “Our research shows that prepaid products attract all walks of life, with many people engaging by choice rather than out of necessity. In an era where we can use technology to provide better transparency and control over our finances, as well as to use it to quickly access services, it is no surprise that people are willing to have their electricity or mobile phone service cut off for example because, in minutes, they can just top it up again.”

Market Opportunity

“Today we see a business opportunity to cater to the prepaid market more than ever,” said Roden. “The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend not only due to financial uncertainty but also with many unable to see their loved ones in person due to social distancing and restrictions on international travel. Even on our own platform, we have seen close to a 50% annual uptick in prepaid transactions during 2020, with customers prioritising keeping in contact by either topping up their own phones or sending airtime to others.”

*** Ends ***

About the Ding Global Prepaid Index (GPI)

The Ding Global Prepaid Index (GPI) is a major bi-annual survey analysing the prepaid market.

The inaugural GPI shines a light on the people who may see prepaid products and services as their only option to live in the world today. 7,000 respondents were surveyed across Europe, Asia and the Americas regarding their use of prepaid offerings, examining the attitudes, activities and outlook of the forgotten billion in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those surveyed were evenly distributed across gender and aged over 18, 30 percent of the sample also identified as expats.

About Ding

Ding was founded to improve people’s lives by helping those with less gain access to more. As the number one international mobile top-up service in the world, Ding has been keeping people connected since 2006, when it launched this first-of-a-kind service. Today, Ding’s users have successfully sent over 450 million top-ups globally, via the app, online at Ding.com, and in-store at over 600,000+ retail outlets worldwide.

Ding is the world’s leading universal top-up service. Ding delivers a top-up every second, via 550+ operators, across 140+ countries – helping families and friends around the world to stay connected.

Link:

ClickThru

About Business Wire

Business Wire
Business Wire
101 California Street, 20th Floor
CA 94111 San Francisco

http://businesswire.com

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

K-Startup Grand Challenge 2026: Korea's Full-Cycle Launchpad for Global Startups5.6.2026 03:00:00 CEST | Press release

KSGC 2026 provides end-to-end support - from market entry to sustainable growth - positioning Korea as the gateway for Asia expansion South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has opened applications for the K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC), the country’s premier government-backed acceleration program for international startups targeting Korea and Asia. Since 2016, KSGC has attracted 21,537 applicants from more than 100 countries, among the world's most recognized inbound programs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604794426/en/ South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has opened applications for K-Startup Grand Challenge 2026, a government-backed global startup acceleration program providing end-to-end support for international startups (Image: KSGC) A Full-Cycle Acceleration Journey Unlike conventional programs that focus on a single moment of market entry, KSGC 2026 guides startups from ma

Empire State Building Observation Deck Celebrates Soccer with World’s Most Iconic Soccer Jersey Exhibit, Custom ESB Jerseys, Player Visits, Lightings, and More4.6.2026 23:46:00 CEST | Press release

The Empire State Building Observation Deck (ESB) – the #1 Attraction in the United States – today announced further 2026 programming for soccer fans in New York City with the world’s most iconic jersey collection from the Classic Football Shirts (CFS) vault, a limited-edition ESB x CFS jersey, official merch giveaways, and special lightings. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604370013/en/ Empire State Building Observation Deck Celebrates Soccer with World’s Most Iconic Soccer Jersey Exhibit, Custom ESB Jerseys, Player Visits, Lightings, and More “As the world descends upon New York City for this anticipated global soccer event, fans can visit the Empire State Building Observation Deck for Manhattan’s best skyline views and a one-of-a-kind soccer exhibit,” said Dan Rogoski, observatory general manager. “International and American soccer fans can extend the celebration off the pitch at the #1 Attraction in the

Vycellix to Provide Universal Cell Cancer Therapy Progress Reports at Upcoming Investor & Partnering Meetings4.6.2026 20:15:00 CEST | Press release

- June events include USA trade mission to Norway (Oslo), the EHA Annual Meeting (Stockholm) and BIO International Convention (San Diego) Vycellix, Inc., a biotechnology company developing next-generation allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies designed to overcome the risk of immune rejection and redefine functional persistence with durability, today announced the Company will attend a series of upcoming investor and partnering meetings to share progress reports on the Company’s universal cell therapy platforms and product candidates targeting multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and urothelial cancers. Vycellix is attending: June 8-9: U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Mission to Norway in Oslo June 11-14: European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress in Stockholm June 22-25: BIO International Convention in San Diego (Florida Pavilion, Booth# 1319) To request a meeting with Vycellix at any of these events, please contact Doug Calder at dcalder@vycellix.

Sodali & Co Appoints Fabio Bianconi as Head of Italy4.6.2026 19:15:00 CEST | Press release

Sodali & Co, the leading global capital markets-centric stakeholder advisory firm, today announced the appointment of Fabio Bianconi as Head of Italy, effective immediately. Fabio succeeds Andrea Di Segni, who will transition into a new role as Senior Relationship Advisor, where he will continue to support key client relationships and strategic initiatives across the firm. Fabio brings deep experience, strong client relationships, and a track record advising on complex mandates in the Italian market. He will lead Sodali’s continued growth and development in Italy, building on the firm’s established position in the region. Aneliya Crawford, Chief Partnerships Officer & Global Head of Shareholder Advisory of Sodali & Co, said: “Andrea has played a central role in the evolution of Sodali over more than two decades, helping establish the firm as a trusted global advisor in corporate governance and shareholder engagement. He built our Italian business into a leader in the market, as reflect

Belkin Expands Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories Ecosystem With New Charging Grip and Travel Bag4.6.2026 18:00:00 CEST | Press release

Following the January debut of Charging Case Pro, Belkin broadens its gaming portfolio with new ways to power, carry, and play Today, Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, announced the expansion of its Nintendo Switch 2 accessories ecosystem with the launch of the GamingCharging Grip for Nintendo Switch 2 and Gaming Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604082278/en/ Belkin expands Nintendo Switch 2 accessories ecosystem with new Charging Grip and Travel Bag Following the January debut of the award-winning Charging Case Pro, the new accessories build on Belkin’s growing gaming portfolio, offering players more ways to power, protect and carry their gaming essentials wherever they play. After entering the gaming accessories category in June 2025, Belkin continues to expand its ecosystem with thoughtfully designed products that combine premium materials, practi

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye