End of service will affect consumers' pockets and change the way networks are used. Find out how!
For some time now, Brazil's main carriers have been trying to eliminate unlimited access to apps without charging for data allowances. Generally, the plans offer unlimited access to WhatsApp and even Instagram, which is a great advantage for consumers, as they can use the networks for free, without deducting from their pre- or post-paid plan.
However, operators are seeing the benefit, known as “zero rating”, as a mistake, since the increase in data usage has increased significantly with the popularization of social networks and WhatsApp has become much more than a messaging app. Today, it is even possible to make payments through the messenger, in addition to allowing the sending of photos, videos, documents and much more.
Continue reading and find out how this change will impact your life, and especially, your wallet!
Unlimited use
Offering unlimited use of networks such as WhatsApp, which is the most popular app in Brazil, has boosted the sale of cell phone plans, with around 62% of people using the internet only through their smartphones. The main use is for exchanging messages via WhatsApp, according to a survey by NIC.br.
With unlimited data, even if the plan's GBs run out, network services remain operational without the customer having to pay anything extra for them. This is why they are known as “unlimited apps” in operator offers.
The strategy, previously seen as a way to attract customers to operators, is now seen as a mistake, according to the president of Claro Brasil group, José Félix, who stated at a telecommunications innovation event that the zero rating is a “mistake”, but according to him, there is still time to reverse the company's strategy. Claro offers unlimited use of the WhatsApp, Instagram, Waze, Facebook and TikTok apps, depending on the plan chosen by the customer.
According to him, the company spends millions of reais to maintain data consumption on platforms of large technology companies. To maintain the plans, operators bear the costs, or charge the app companies.
Vivo offers WhatsApp and Waze without deducting from the allowance. The company is seeking to reduce the offer, to compensate for investments in the network. TIM offers free access to WhatsApp and Deezer, as well as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. In an interview with Estadão, TIM's revenue director said that unpaid traffic always results in losses.
Increased use
With 4G, data consumption has grown significantly, and the trend is for it to grow even more with its popularization. of 5G in the country. As a result, operators are looking for ways to optimize profits and invest in the network, in addition to working on expanding the 5G infrastructure, which can attract even more customers. 5G arrived in Brazil a year ago and is already present in all capitals.
Another fact that may be contributing to these changes in plans is a discussion regarding payment for the use of networks by large technology companies, such as Google, the Goal, Netflix and Amazon, which use a lot of mobile data.
