This paper examines how data warehousing tools and techniques can be applied to the prepaid products and services segment of the telecommunications industry. It reviews the types of prepaid products and services, industry drivers, and resulting potential impacts to the service provider's business. There are various prepaid products including wireless prepaid devices and calling cards. Emphasis in this paper is given to prepaid wireless service.

Prepaid service requires payment from the subscriber before a communications service provider will extend service. Real-time billing debits the prepaid subscriber's account as the prepaid subscriber uses the service and prevents exceeding the account's available balance.