However, Durov emphasizes that Telegram’s existing functionality will remain free and that the paid additions will have no effect on the app’s experience for free users. Non-subscribers will still be able to view and interact with Premium stickers and replies, as well as larger files uploaded by Premium users.
As Durov adds, a Premium subscription could help the service offset some of the costs associated with raising the “already ridiculous” limits on file sizes, conversations, and media, which Durov claims would be “unmanageable” if made available to all users. A paid subscription has been in the works for some time, with Durov initially discussing it around 2020.
