Zero-rating

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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.