Mobile Phone Plan in Jordan: Prepaid or Postpaid?

In Jordan, communication service operators offer two main types of mobile phone subscriptions: prepaid and postpaid. For instance, Orange’s mobile phone subscription options can be generally classified into two types: Orange postpaid packages and prepaid lines.

Between postpaid and prepaid mobile phone plan in Jordan, the latter is more popular than the former.

According to The Jordan Times, data from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) indicate there were 7.3 million mobile phone subscriptions in the country in the first quarter of 2022. Of this number, 74% or 5.41 million were prepaid phone subscribers, while 26% or 1.89 million had postpaid mobile plans.

However, the fact that prepaid phone subscriptions are more popular than postpaid plans in Jordan does not automatically mean prepaid is the better option. There are several things to consider when deciding between these two types of mobile phone subscriptions.

Prepaid mobile phone plan in Jordan

Prepaid mobile phone subscriptions are also known as pay-as-you-go, pay-as-you-talk and prepay. They are so named because they require subscribers to pay upfront for mobile services.

Typical mobile services include:

• Mobile phone calls to local numbers in the same network
• Mobile phone calls to local numbers in other networks
• Mobile phone calls to international numbers
• Short message service (SMS) or text messages to local numbers
• SMS to international numbers
• Mobile internet
• International roaming
• Cloud storage
• Add-on mobile services (e.g., private number, missed call alerts, balance transfer, data backup)

Mobile telecommunications operators bundle mobile services together and offer these 30-day prepaid packages to subscribers for a fee. For instance, the Orange 11 max prepaid line, priced at JOD 11 per month, has the following basic inclusions:

• 30GB of mobile internet data allocation
• Unlimited SMS to local numbers
• Unlimited calls to local numbers
• Unlimited calls to Ooredoo Palestine numbers

The plan also comes with add-ons like:

• Data carry-over (unused data is carried over to the next subscription period upon timely renewal)
• Always-on data (up to 10GB more data available at slower speeds when the user has consumed his 30GB plan data allocation)
• Extra Net (1GB bonus data is added to the plan, up to a cumulative total of 10GB, with every timely subscription renewal)
• Free missed call alerts
• Free private number service

A mobile phone subscriber may pick this bundle for the stated price (JOD 11) and renew their prepaid subscription before it expires to continue enjoying their plan inclusions, particularly the value-added services that are activated only upon timely renewal.

Renewing Prepaid Plans

Users must actively refill or top up their accounts to continue using mobile services. Topping up can be done via scratch recharge cards, online payments or automated teller machines.

Essentially, you use the above methods to recharge your voice (i.e., calls) and internet balance. Once you have sufficient balance in your mobile account, dial the operator-designated short code from your phone to renew your prepaid plan subscription.

There should also be other shortcodes you can use to:

• See which plan you’re on
• Choose a different plan
• Check your balance and remaining SMS, data and call minutes
• See available add-on internet bundles

Why Choose Prepaid Plans?

There are two primary reasons why you might want a prepaid phone line.

1.      Flexibility

With prepaid plans, you can change plans or operators without contractual obligations. Thus, they’re ideal for those who want to control their spending and avoid surprises in their bills. They’re for people who may want a different bundle next month or may no longer need the service after a set period.

In other words, prepaid lines are for those who won’t or can’t be tied down to long-term subscriptions and would rather renew their subscriptions month-to-month or as needed.

Visitors to Jordan are a prime example of a demographic best suited to prepaid plans.

2.      Ease of Subscription

Prepaid plans typically don’t require a credit check, making them available to more users, including those without a credit history.

Postpaid mobile phone plan in Jordan

Postpaid plan users are billed based on their usage at the end of each billing cycle. This can include a fixed charge for a service bundle with call minutes, text messages and mobile data, plus out-of-bundle charges for services used beyond the plan’s limits.

Contractual Commitment

Postpaid plans may or may not come with a mobile device. Especially when they come with a device, postpaid subscriptions usually require users to commit to the service provider for a specified period, typically one to two years.

Credit Checks

Obtaining a postpaid plan usually involves a credit check, as it’s based on the trust that the user will pay their monthly bills for services used.

Why Choose a Postpaid Plan?

The following are the two main benefits of postpaid plans:

1.      Continuous Service

Postpaid plan users enjoy uninterrupted service as long as they pay their bills. They do not need to worry about running out of credit. This is why postpaid plans are most suited to heavy data users, professionals and entrepreneurs who may need uninterrupted connectivity, calls and SMS.

2.      Value for Money

For a price that is sometimes just slightly higher than prepaid plan fees, postpaid plans usually come with higher data limits, faster mobile internet connectivity, unlimited local call minutes, unlimited SMS, loyalty points, default data carry-overs, and mobile phone discounts. Postpaid phone plan subscribers also enjoy perks like the use of special numbers and free mobile app subscriptions.

Choosing Between Prepaid and Postpaid Plans in Jordan

The choice between prepaid and postpaid depends on your budget, credit and lifestyle. If flexibility is your priority, choose prepaid. If you want value for money, choose postpaid.

In Jordan, both options are widely available, with multiple carriers offering a range of plans tailored to different lifestyles and budgets. It’s important to compare the offerings of various service providers to find the one that best fits your preferences and needs.