Why call or text from your provider when you can use an app like Messenger, Viber or WhatsApp?

That's the mentality of many smartphone users these days, especially the younger generation. However, while this is fine via Wi-Fi, it can get quite costly using data when you're out and about.

Which is why Spark has launched two new prepay ‘Data Lovers' packs to cater for this growing need where users are consuming data rather than minutes and texts - data amounts across Spark and Skinny's range of prepay packs have also been increased.

“With the rise of messaging and calling apps, and the emergence of ‘super apps' like WeChat that let users message, phone and video call using data, we're seeing increasing demand from our customers for more data,” says Spark general manger of Prepay, Ross Parker.

“In parallel to this, more and more customers don't really want or need minutes and texts. So we're introducing two data-only plans and increasing data across our range of existing prepaid plans.

The new Data Lover packs run on four-weekly cycles and come with 1.5GB data for $20 or 4.5GB data for $40. Each pack also includes Spotify Premium, 1GB free Wi-fi, and 1GB of Socialiser data for use on Facebook, Spotify and Twitter.

“For customers who almost exclusively use apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger and social media platforms to keep in touch with friends and family, a data-only plan could be just what they've been looking for, especially when combined with the additions of 1GB free WiFi at over 1000 Spark hotspots nationwide, 1GB mobile data for use on Facebook, Spotify and Twitter, and Spotify Premium,” Parker concludes.

It certainly makes for interesting times, as the role of the telco continues to evolve.