it would not surprise me if the insecurity of call and SMS infrastructure was used to migrate everyone to WhatsApp. I get the distinct impression that it would save the network operators money and move the running costs of the communication network from them to Meta as they desire a move to data only packages (at the same price of higher, there's no way they'd pass any savings onto the consumer).

Honestly, I would not be surprised if you buy a smartphone in the future and its phone and messaging options are just shortcuts to Whatsapp functions.

Of course, if you're banned from Meta, you effectively get disenfranchised from communication as WhatsApp becomes the default option for everyone to use. Whereas I get a choice of mobile network operators to make calls and send messages from. If I get told to leave one network, there's still three more networks I can use and I can still call and text all my contacts. Not with WhatsApp.