[zepolen]

This is precisely the way SMS started to cost something ludicrous like $300,000/GB - carriers started out with "5000 FREE SMS!!!" to their own network, some small amount to other carriers. People got on board with this "promotion" - then the carriers started raising prices and lowering the "free" quota.

When people finally realized how much they were getting ripped off - they figured communicating via the internet via platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger is much cheaper.

The carriers took a massive hit to their bottom line - and are now trying to get it back via implementing the same practices onto internet services.