Ivanah Penita doesn’t call people – ever. Okay, maybe when there’s an emergency or she needs to get hold of someone urgently she will call.

But Ivanah pretty much communicates by messaging via Facebook, Whatsapp or email.

The Auckland student is among a growing number of data only mobile phone users who communicate by messaging using their phones rather than calling.

Ivanah has been using data to communicate for two years because it is quicker, easier, and, importantly, cheaper because she’s not making expensive phone calls.

“For me it's just an easier way of communicating with people because most of my friends are on social media and they respond much quicker via Facebook or email – even quicker than texting,” she says. Slingshot, New Zealand’s third largest ISP, has responded to this data only trend by launching a mobile plan especially for customers who only need data.

The 1GB data only plan is designed for people who do most of their messaging via apps, or for those with a second mobile device such as an iPad. And just in case, if a customer needs calling minutes or unlimited texts then these are also available as part of the plan.

Ivanah, who is not a Slingshot customer, says she is able to use her data efficiently by using it when she is out and about, but at home or at university then wifi is the best option.

Slingshot was alerted to the need for the data only plan after asking staff how they used their mobiles.

Lai Tupuola, from Slingshot, converted to data only use two years ago when his girlfriend moved to Japan.

The couple resolved that instead of expensive phone calls, and endless texts, using Facebook and chat apps was the most cost effective yet reliable way to stay in touch.

“All I need is mobile data or a wifi hotspot and I can send countless messages without the charges,” he says.

Slingshot GM Taryn Hamilton says globally mobile data traffic grew 83 per cent last year and this growth is reflected in Slingshot’s customer usage patterns with data use doubling every 18-months across both home broadband and mobile plans.

“We’re entering a new era of mobile use. We’re seeing people drop calling and texting in favour of cheaper and easier ways to communicate.

“It’s a trend driven by younger users – but is increasingly becoming mainstream. We’ve responded with an innovative plan that allows users to buy lots of data at a decent price.”

Slingshot’s $19 a month mobile plan features 1GB of data. Users can text and call on casual rates if they choose.