Facebook has today announced a partnership with 18 mobile carriers in 14 different countries that will offer free or discounted access to Facebook’s messenger app for Android and iOS.
This promotion will be available from more than 18 operators in 14 countries. Operators committed to special pricing for Facebook messaging include TMN in Portugal, Three in Ireland, Airtel and Reliance in India, Vivacom in Bulgaria, Backcell in Azerbaydzhan, Indosat, Smartfren, AXIS and XL Axiata in Indonesia, SMART in Philippines, DiGi in Malaysia, DTAC in Thailand, Viva in Bahrain, STC in Saudi Arabia, Oi in Brazil, Etisalat in Egypt, and Tre in Italy.
Details of the Partnership
This strategic partnership between Facebook and the mobile carriers is aimed at making it easier and more affordable for users to stay connected with their friends and family through the Facebook Messenger app. By offering free or discounted data access, Facebook hopes to increase the usage of its messaging platform, especially in regions where data costs can be prohibitively expensive. This initiative is particularly beneficial in developing countries where internet access is still growing and data costs can be a significant barrier to communication.
The mobile carriers involved in this partnership will be charging their customers less for the data they use when accessing the Facebook Messenger app on Android or iOS devices. This means that users can send messages, photos, and videos without worrying about high data charges. For instance, in countries like India, where Airtel and Reliance are major players, this move could significantly boost the number of active users on Facebook Messenger.
Impact on Users and Mobile Carriers
For users, this partnership means more affordable access to one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. Facebook Messenger is not just a tool for sending text messages; it also allows users to make voice and video calls, send multimedia messages, and even play games. By reducing the cost of data, Facebook is making it easier for people to take full advantage of these features without worrying about their data limits.
For mobile carriers, this partnership offers an opportunity to attract more customers and increase user engagement. By offering special pricing for Facebook Messenger, carriers can differentiate themselves from competitors and provide added value to their customers. This can be particularly appealing in markets where competition is fierce and customer loyalty is hard to maintain.
Moreover, this initiative can help mobile carriers increase their overall data usage. While the data used for Facebook Messenger might be discounted or free, users are likely to use other data services as well, leading to an overall increase in data consumption. This can be a win-win situation for both Facebook and the mobile carriers involved.
In addition to the immediate benefits, this partnership could also pave the way for future collaborations between Facebook and mobile carriers. As the demand for data continues to grow, we might see more such initiatives aimed at making internet access more affordable and accessible to a broader audience.
So basically, the various mobile carriers involved will be charging their customers less for the data they are using when they are using the Facebook app on Android or iOS. This move is expected to not only increase the user base of Facebook Messenger but also enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
Source Engadget
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
