Zero Rating
Learning Objective
Understand how zero-rating policies influence user behavior and network access by measuring app data usage, comparing zero-rated and non-zero-rated services, and investigating ISP partnerships.
Part 1: Experience with Zero Rating
- Install a mobile data usage tracker on your phone:
- Android: Use GlassWire or a similar app.
- iOS: Use the built-in cellular data usage view in Settings.
- Reset the data counter or ensure you are starting with a clean measurement session.
Select and Use Two Applications
- Choose one app that is commonly zero-rated by ISPs (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, Spotify).
- Choose another app that is not commonly zero-rated (e.g., Signal, Mastodon, or a smaller news site).
- Use each app for 5–10 minutes under similar conditions:
- For example, send messages, browse feeds, or stream short videos.
- Record how much data each app uses during this time.
Research ISP Partnerships
- Look up whether major ISPs (in the U.S. or globally) have offered zero-rating for either of the apps you tested.
- Use news articles, FCC filings, or ISP websites to verify whether these apps have been part of a zero-rating plan.
- Examples: Facebook Free Basics, T-Mobile Binge On, Reliance Jio bundles.
Analyze and Compare
- Compare the amount of data consumed by the two apps.
- Consider how zero-rating affects user incentives and the visibility of data costs.
- Reflect on the potential impacts on app competition and user access.
Part 2: Discussion
Answer the following questions based on your experiment:
- How did data usage compare between the zero-rated and non-zero-rated apps?
- If one of the apps had been zero-rated, how would that have changed your perception or usage of it?
- How might zero-rating policies affect smaller apps or platforms trying to compete?
- Are there technical or policy-based ways to support low-income users without compromising competition?
- Based on your data and research, is zero-rating more beneficial or harmful in practice?