Operators want to end benefits for users. Find out more!
Telephone operators that offer mobile data plans for cell phones in Brazil have made progress in discussions about the possible end of the provision of free social networks and messengers to consumers. The case has been studied by the companies for some time, but was recently updated by the president of Telefônica Brasil, Christian Gebara, which is the company responsible for the operator Vivo. According to him, the sector is concerned about the current situation of the structure of this service.
The problem would be the growth in data consumption by mobile internet users, both due to free access to social networks, such as X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and messengers, especially WhatsApp, and due to the adoption of 5G technology, which has been happening gradually.
This debate between operators has left many users unhappy, as the free service has been offered by operators for a few years, which has led many customers to purchase data packages. If the change really happens, users will have to pay more for data services.
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Data usage
Offering free access to social networks is known as “zero rating”. Through it, users can use WhatsApp, YouTube, audio platforms and other social networks without using up the mobile data allowance contracted. This benefit has attracted many customers over the years, as many have purchased packages to enjoy the networks without spending so much. However, this offer may end soon, as operators are reevaluating this availability. The action has not brought great financial advantages to operators.
Data consumption has grown a lot with 4G and the trend is for the increase to be even greater with arrival of 5G to more Brazilian municipalities, expanding throughout the country. Because of this, operators are looking for alternatives to optimize profits and invest in network capacity, in addition to working on expanding 5G, which already serves more than 10 million users in Brazil.
Another factor that could also influence this change is the discussion regarding payment for the use of networks by large technology companies. like Google, Meta, Netflix and Amazon, which are among those that consume the most mobile data.
End of benefit
In a press conference, the Telefônica Brasil executive reported that the companies are evaluating the impact of this, as there is concern in the sector as to whether this free service is being beneficial to the consumer, since in the end, it is not being able to provide the coverage response that it wants to provide.
In addition to fearing that free consumption will impact the supply of mobile internet, operators are also feeling the impact of the strategy in their pockets, as it reduces potential revenue when contracting plans with a higher data limit for consumption on these platforms.
According to the executive, global data traffic has already increased by around 30% and there are few technology companies that own the services that most mobilize this consumption. The idea would be for them to pay for the use of the networks themselves, but this proposal is very complex and would hardly come into effect in the short term.
Another reason he gave for ending free use of networks is to use these funds for other services, such as expanding signal coverage and bringing internet to underserved regions.
So far there has been no new decision from the operators on the matter and executives from other companies have not commented.
