European Operators Want Apple, Google And Facebook To Pay For Mobile Data

With the increasing dependence on Internet services such as those from Google and Facebook, it’s no surprise that carriers are reporting juicy revenues from mobile data usage. Of course, that itself presents another problem as carriers are often faced with bandwidth problems and need to build bigger networks. Word is going around that Vodafone, Orange, Telefonica and Telecom Italia actually want content providers such as Google, Facebook, and Apple to pay fees linked to usage. Stephane Richard, CEO of France Telecom (which operates under the Orange brand) stated that “Service providers are flooding networks with no incentive to cut costs. It’s necessary to put in place a system of payments by service providers as a function of their use.” Do you think those Internet giants will need to pay additional fees to carriers in the near future?