Industry watchers think IT managers should only pay for the content delivery services they use. At least according to a recent report from Current Analysis, which gave Mirror Image kudos for designing a price structure that would let customers better license services.

Under a new service dubbed TotalValuePlan, Mirror Image last week announced it will let customers roll over unused monthly services much like cell phone providers let customers carry over their unused minutes from month to month.

The report states: "[Mirror Image's] flexible term length contracts will be especially useful, providing clients with a level of control that will let them pick a plan that meets their needs," the report states. "Another key element of this pricing change is that Mirror Image will not charge a penalty for 'bursting' over a commitment, making the service more appealing to users that may be concerned about having to determine in advance their changing net requirements for content."

TotalValuePlan allows users to pay for content delivery services as they use them. Mirror Image offers services via its Content Access Point (CAP) network, which can regionally store and deliver content to customers worldwide. With 21 large POPs, the company says it is able to speed the delivery of content regardless of customer location, And because Mirror Image offers its technologies as services, customers do not have to install any hardware or software on their nets or in their data centers.

Mirror Image says TotalValuePlan provides customers with:
* No overage penalties or bursting fees.
* Roll over of unused dollars.
* "Buy As You Go," in which Mirror Image offers "flexible term length contracts, giving customers the control to tailor a plan that best suits their needs."

Ann Bednarz is associate news editor at Network World.