Abstract: A system for transferring web content between a customer's user terminal and a web service over the Internet including an access network connected to the user terminal, a proxy server connected to the access network and the Internet, and a billing system. The billing system maintains accounts for the customers, each account having a prepaid balance. When a request for content transfer is received by the proxy server, the proxy server determines the cost to the user terminal for presentation to the customer. If the customer elects to continue with the transfer, the cost is deducted from his account and the transfer is effectuated.