Zero-rating

This article concerns a major concept that exist in the English version of Wikipedia, which can be seen by clicking here. However, it has been deemed appropriate by our content managers to have its own unique and unrelated version in ICANNWiki.

Zero-rating is the practice of providing access to designated online services, without charging the end users for the usage of that data. Zero-Rating plans vary from case to case, but they all share a few commonalities. First, cost of the data is covered by a party other than the end-user. Second, the internet services covered by these plans are limited and predetermined by the financiers of the plan. Third, Zero-Rating services are typically offered in conjunction with plans that have low volume data caps or over-priced data.

Zero-Rating plans have gained momentum in two forms. First, as part of a limited mobile data package, allowing customers to use particular services without that data counting against their data limit. Second, as a way to provide internet access to areas of the developing world that have not previously been connected.