Is WeChat Phonebook really causing operators to lose sleep?

On November 11, 2014, WeChat officially added a high-definition free call function to the WeChat phone book, allowing WeChat users to make calls directly for free. Many people commented that this is an APP that makes operators "sleepless" and will replace operator calls in the future. However, according to the author's testing and calculations, it is found that the free calls in the WeChat phone book are not "free", and the call function that some people regard as a nightmare for operators is not easy to use.

The author studied WeChat Phonebook and found that its predecessor was QQ Address Book. After binding the WeChat account and mobile phone number, users can initiate free voice calls to WeChat friends who have installed WeChat Phonebook (under wifi or 3G network).

The official function introduction of WeChat Phonebook shows:

HD free calls: You can use the latest free calls to chat anytime, anywhere. We also have a voicemail so you don't have to worry about missing calls.

I tried the WeChat phonebook function and found that it is basically unavailable on a 2G network. On a 3G network, according to tests, a one-minute call consumes about 300kb-400kb of data. If the call lasts about 20 minutes, the two people will consume 16M of data (8M*2), and the monthly data will reach 480M. Taking China Mobile 's 88 package as an example, the default data in the 188 package is 500M. This means that a WeChat phonebook app will consume all the data.

When the WeChat phone book is used to convert to a regular phone, it will be charged according to the operator's call rate, and it is not a free call; so the WeChat phone book is just a gimmick of "free", either consuming data or calling fees, and there is no such thing as free. In fact, many users understand that free calls do not consume phone fees or data, which WeChat phone book certainly cannot do.

The release of WeChat Phone Book has led many people to believe that WeChat’s move is aimed directly at operators. Some even believe that WeChat Phone Book will replace operator calls. In fact, this is a common misunderstanding.

First, before the launch of WeChat Phonebook, there were already many similar call apps, including mobile QQ and Yixin, which all have free call functions. Second, some apps under operators are also making similar attempts, such as China Mobile's Fetion and Yixin jointly launched by China Telecom and NetEase, which are exploring innovations in free calls and other aspects; China Unicom is also actively cooperating with WeChat. Although operator calls have indeed declined compared with previous years, the further explosive growth of mobile data services (traffic, etc.) is unstoppable, so operators are still very confident.

Currently, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom have all obtained TD-LTE fourth-generation mobile communication business licenses. Traditional operators have gradually changed. If they want to avoid being a stepping stone for others, they must continue to tap into the added value of traffic. Faced with the continuous impact of Internet companies' products, operators also need to add their own products to maintain product vitality and innovation and keep up with the pace of the times.

The WeChat Phonebook was launched as an independent application this time, probably to test the market's reaction, and also shows that the WeChat Phonebook is hesitant about replacing operator calls, fearing that it will be controlled by operators, after all, operators still have pipeline advantages. With the continuous advancement of technology, perhaps in the near future there will really be an APP on the market that does not require traffic or calls, bringing real benefits to consumers.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.