Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of prepaid telecommunication services and method therefor in which in substantially real time after a request for such services is submitted by a purchaser, the request is processed, a PIN number is issued for that particular service, and the prepaid telecommunication service is accessible. The PIN number can be transmitted to the purchaser or a third party recipient for whom the request for services was made. This transmittal includes incorporating the PIN number in an electronic mail message (for sending on a data processing network such as the Internet).