With an estimated 40 million people connected by computer around the world, those pennies could become big dollars. That's the thinking behind emerging technology that permits efficient billing of sums too small for credit cards. Until very recently it was very taboo to use it for any commercialization. There's a lot of culture that's still in play here. But it's eroding.
Current transactions are as small as a quarter.
Such microtransactions, combined with enhanced security for credit card buying online, could help transform the system. But Web explorers also say charging simply for what's given away now won't do. Extra value will need to be perceived - just as cable TV created a market out of a free medium. Some newspapers give away their current news and charge for using their archives. Researchers may provide basic information on thousands of companies for free and charge for detailed profiles.