Facebook announces mobile messaging data discount in 14 countries on 18 carriers

The status update and social network king has teamed up with 18 carriers in 14 countries to provide discounted, or in some cases, free data access for use of Facebook Messenger on those participating carriers.

The data access will be available “soon” and can be utilized via Messenger for Android, Messenger for iOS and Facebook for Every Phone, which the social network has optimized for chat.

So far, Facebook has announced the following carriers in these countries as committed to the promotion:

• Azerbaydzhan – Backcell
• Bahrain – Viva
• Brazil – Oi
• Bulgaria – Vivacom
• Egypt – Etisalat
• Portugal – TMN
• India – Airtel and Reliance
• Indonesia – Indosat, Smartfren, AXIS and XL Axiata
• Ireland – Three
• Italy – Tre
• Malaysia – DiGi
• Philippines – SMART
• Saudi Arabia – STC
• Thailand – DTAC

Facebook messenger is pretty popular, and the company claims that 3 out of 4 people on Facebook use messenger on one platform of another. Pricing and discounts were not announced, nor were any firm dates provided as to when these discounts or free services would be offered and for how long.

Aside from the obvious attention the promotion draws to Facebook Messenger, the origins and motivations for this promotion were not offered in the news release, so we do not have any background as to what led to this idea. It is certain to come in handy though, being able to get a discount on the data plan for using messenger.  Get your thumbs ready!