I read about WhatsApp and how people can't part with Meta because of it, however no one on my continent uses it. Why is it so popular in the EU and other parts of the world?
this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2024
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No they didn't, I've had phone plans with enough data to use WhatsApp 24/7 (around 2011 probably) way before unlimited texts (don't know because I haven't used SMS since forever). In fact I remember way back in 2008 using a website from my phone to send SMS instead of sending them from the phone because it was cheaper. Heck, I think I got unlimited data for WhatsApp before I got unlimited texts, and in fact my current plan has unlimited data but only 100 SMS (or something, I don't know because I don't use it).
But the important detail is that I'm not in the US, and this is what you're missing. In the US for some reason SMS became cheaper, in the rest of the world data became cheaper, which is why still to this day we pay for SMS but get unlimited data whereas in the US it's the other way around.
And most importantly SMS can't share all the data WhatsApp and others can. Be it images, videos, locations and similar. Add to that local WIFI which extends life on your data plan and you get more convenience at cheaper prices with extra features. Cell phone network providers really shot themselves in the foot with that one.
I remember the days of the 100 SMS limits and wensites for texting. I had a second SIM card which I could switch to in case I went over the 100 SMS. Then I moved to the US and it was free SMS! WhatsApp was also $1 back then so people who just use the in-built messaging app if they didn’t have anyone residing outside the US. US is still ridiculously expensive for phone and data plans.