2 hrs ago
WhatsApp Business Messages To Become Chargeable From October 1
Meta is changing how some businesses pay to use WhatsApp.
Starting October 1, businesses using the WhatsApp Business API in India may have to pay for each customer-support message.
These messages were previously free during a 24-hour service period after a customer contacted a business.
Each business phone number will still get 1,000 free service messages every month.
Unused free messages will not carry over to the next month.
Every message above the limit will cost about 11.5 paise.
The fee does not apply to normal personal WhatsApp users or most businesses using the free WhatsApp Business app.
Companies that send many automated messages, including AI agents, may face much higher costs.
Meta says the change is meant to reduce excessive automated messaging and align WhatsApp with other support channels.
Meta will begin charging for WhatsApp Business API service messages in India from October 1.
The messages currently covered by a free 24-hour customer service window will cost approximately Rs. 0.115 each.
Each business phone number will receive 1,000 free service messages per calendar month, with no rollover.
The change applies to the paid WhatsApp Business API, not personal WhatsApp or the free WhatsApp Business app.
Meta says the new pricing aims to curb high-volume automated messaging, while businesses warn costs could rise sharply.
- Who
- Meta and businesses using the paid WhatsApp Business API, especially high-volume customer-support providers.
- What
- WhatsApp Business API service messages in India will become chargeable, with 1,000 free messages per business phone number each month.
- Where
- India, on the WhatsApp Business API.
- When
- From October 1; the article does not specify the year for the main pricing change.
- Why
- Meta says the changes are intended to curb high-volume automated messaging and bring support-messaging costs closer to other customer-service channels.
Business concerns
Meta’s rationale
Higher messaging costs
Business concerns
Businesses sending large numbers of support messages, particularly those using AI-based agents, could face sharply higher operating costs after the free allowance is exhausted.
Meta’s rationale
Meta is introducing per-message billing to curb high-volume automated messaging and align WhatsApp support economics with other customer-service channels.
Effect on customer communication
Business concerns
Businesses may need to reassess automated support strategies, as each message bubble will be billed separately rather than being bundled into a free exchange.
Meta’s rationale
The pricing structure may reduce excessive WhatsApp messaging and could potentially help limit spam.
Key facts
- Start date
- October 1
- Applicable service
- Paid WhatsApp Business API
- India service-message rate
- Approximately Rs. 0.115 per message, or 11.5 paise
- Monthly free allowance
- 1,000 service messages per business phone number
- Allowance policy
- Resets monthly with no rollover
- Volume discounts
- None for service messages
- Excluded users
- Personal WhatsApp users and businesses using the free WhatsApp Business app
Quotes
An unidentified commentator
An unnamed commentator discussing the likely business impact of the new WhatsApp pricing
“SMS era rates are back, expect a lot more businesses to move to apps”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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