Why should WhatsApp pay MTN when users already pay for data?

[Ockie]

Wodayamean?

I have read that SMS, or texting as they call it, is still very much in use in the US. They are not big on OTT's like WhatsApp and Telegram. Only real popular one is iChat and that is because it is preinstalled on Iphones and they most likely don't even realize they are not actually using SMS. They have really cheap and unlimited text options there, so OTT apps did not really have a big uptake, because there was no need. That is how I understand it.

 

[xrapidx]

Surely then the same should apply to any services used over your ADSL line, e.g. Skype... its bull****, these guys are trying to recover lost revenue due to crappy service... and with MTN's double billing going on almost 10 years after I left them, they shouldn't have any problems with money.

 

[kianm]

“You have to regulate them because clearly they’re making a huge amount of revenue on top of the infrastructure that the operators have paid for. Somehow they have to contribute towards the building of this infrastructure,” said Nyati.

How?

This includes paying tax on revenues earned in South Africa and complying with laws such as RICA.

Wot :wtf:

 

[JimM]

This is pretty much nonsense in any case as 90% of my Whatsapp traffic is via Wi-Fi...

I'm not sure how they can say these OTT services are making a fortune on the backs of VodaCom and MTN services... Telegram is free and even if every user in South Africa switched to Telegram their (Telegram) profit would still be Zero!!

The problem is, we've found the 'un-shaft me button' and the big boys don't like this!!

 

[pinball wizard]

This is pretty much nonsense in any case as 90% of my Whatsapp traffic is via Wi-Fi...

How do you think the wifi makes it out to the interwebs? You are aware that from your device to the router may be over wifi, but that from the device to the interwebs there is probably some ISP involved?

 

[whatwhat]

I have read that SMS, or texting as they call it, is still very much in use in the US. They are not big on OTT's like WhatsApp and Telegram. Only real popular one is iChat and that is because it is preinstalled on Iphones and they most likely don't even realize they are not actually using SMS. They have really cheap and unlimited text options there, so OTT apps did not really have a big uptake, because there was no need. That is how I understand it.

USA have unlimited texting, and phone calls. Whatsapp isn't needed there as badly as here.

 

[supersunbird]

How do you think the wifi makes it out to the interwebs? You are aware that from your device to the router may be over wifi, but that from the device to the interwebs there is probably some ISP involved?

Show me a non-cellular ISP (aka non-SMS-revenue-losing) that gives a damn about regulating WhatsApp...