One of the biggest telecom operator in India – Tata Docomo and instant messaging app – WhatsApp has joined hands together. The duo have sealed a deal to provide a special package that would give customers unlimited access to the messenger application on the Docomo network at just Rs 1 per day. The package will have validity of 15 days and will cost Rs 15 only. The plan is available for pre-paid GSM consumers.
Tata Docomo What’sApp partnership
In my opinion, if you’re constantly on WhatsApp and don’t employ your smartphone data for any other online activity, then the scheme just appears good for you. This is not the first time that users are being lured by such schemes. Earlier too, there were attempts to roll out such schemes. For instance, a similar deal was signed between Aircel and Nimbuzz.
Off late, the telecom operators have realized, people spend more time on these services owing to the rise in mobile internet penetration. More and more people are switching from SMS and MMS to instant messengers like Whatsapp, Line, Nimbuzz, ChatOn etc.
What harm it has brought to the telecom operators? Instant messaging apps use has increased while telcos have threatened their own SMS user base. It hardly bothers to the companies, if there overall revenue has increased due to such partnerships. Result, every operator has forged multiple partnerships with either mobile messaging platforms or Social networks.’
Neeraj Arora, Head of Business Development for WhatsApp informed Medianama that the company is now serving 30 million monthly active users in India alone. So, the timing of these packs or the partnership between Tata Docomo and What’s App could not have found a better occasion.
