Why is MMS more expensive than Whatsapp message ?

2 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/why-is-mms-more-expensive-than-whatsapp-message.198508/

I thought MMS is based around the internet. You need a 2G/3G/4G connection to send and receive MMS messages.
Isnt that the same with Whatsapp ?

From what i can guess, SMS and MMS uses the same network , while Whatsapp and other Messaging Apps use internet network.

Can someone explain, or direct me to an article about it. I have a seminar presentation on "MEDIA MESSAGE COMPATIBILITY AND CONTIGUITY OF VARIOUS MESSAGE FORMS in Education" and this concept of SMS,MMS and Internet Based messaging Apps is an important component of my seminar.

My understanding is that MMS is delivered using a cellular network and is not physically stored, except may be for archival purposes. And sometimes if the recipient is not available, it may be cached/buffered.

WhatsApp, Messenger and the likes are over the top services which utilises their respective server to be forwarded to the recipient.

There is definitely more to this, but I could only put this much in words as of now. There will be more from other digitians.

Edit: old but still relevant: Price gouging: It costs more to send a text message on Earth than from Mars | ExtremeTec