[mascarenhas]

I don't know where the parent lives in Brazil, but the supermarket chain comment definitely has not been my experience in upper-middle class Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods.

People use Whatsapp instead of SMS because it simply is a better user experience, specially for sending media and group chat, not for showing off, or keeping in touch with relatives abroad. Phone companies began offering "free whatsapp" even in pre-paid plans because it because it became very popular, as a way to attract costumers, not the other way around.

[profeta]

you are probably a late adopter. 2010 it was used exclusively for overseas sms. Since nobody had it installed.

Then, after it was bought by facebook, they started to PAY telcos around the world to increase penetration and block any competitor.

...telcos offering something for free when they have a closed monopoly :) that was funny.