A prepaid computer service operating on a personal computer and a networked computer is activated at a point of sale. The service includes broadband Internet access such as DSL. The service running on the personal computer includes a switch for discontinuing the service upon expiration of the prepaid service. The switch may be a comprised in a circuit interconnected between a DSL modem and a personal computer. A DSL service provider provides Internet access service and a service manager manages the prepaid service. The switch has a timer having a value loaded by the service manager, and the timer is used to determine the expiration of service. The prepaid service alternately includes a software based switch which may be used to regulated prepaid internet service or other software based services such as prepaid Internet based games, thin-client software services or entertainment.