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Mostly because the sms exchanges between companies are worse than using data to access an internet based messaging service. They have wacky standards support (Group MMS?) and wildly overcharge you for sending 144 characters.


Who doesn't have unlimited SMS?

I mean that seriously, nobody in any of my social circles uses whatsapp. I honestly don't have a solid grasp on who exactly their core market is.


Lots of people dont have unlimited MMS

and anyway none of what you said addresses the above reasons for wanting an internet based messaging system


Do you know many 13 - 16 year olds?

> I honestly don't have a solid grasp on who exactly their core market is.

I'm guessing it's whoever was using blackberry messenger.


> "Do you know many 13 - 16 year olds?"

Admittedly no, but aren't most children on their parent's cellphone plans?

I would expect the cash strapped ones to be in their early twenties, but I'm not seeing that in practice.

I suspect the value in whatsapp is in something other than limitations of SMS, but I can't say what.


The popularity of BBM didn't come out of nowhere.

Some countries have better plans than others. And teens can send insane amounts of texts.


I don't get why people just don't use email rather than whatsapp.




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