WhatsApp Business Charges Rise As Meta Bills Service Messages

businessworld.in Oct 1, 2026

WhatsApp Business Charges Rise As Meta Bills Service Messages

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 1, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Meta announced that from 1 October, Indian businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform will be charged for service replies, a category previously free. Each business phone number receives 1,000 free service messages per month; additional delivered messages cost Rs 0.115 each. The change also applies to utility messages, authentication messages, and marketing messages, all priced at Rs 0.115 (except marketing at Rs 0.8631). Businesses must add a payment method by 30 September or risk losing service‑message capability. The new fee structure affects direct integration users and solution‑provider clients.

💡 Why It Matters

· The shift monetizes routine customer support interactions, potentially reshaping how small and medium enterprises budget for WhatsApp communication and prompting a reevaluation of automated response strategies.

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