New Delhi: Chinese Internet company Tencent has launched instant messaging service 'WeChat' in India to cash in on the growing popularity of such mobile services.
The application can be downloaded on iPhones, Android and Windows-operating system based phones. Apart from free text messaging, it also allows users to share pictures, videos, documents as well as voice messages. WeChat, globally has over 10 crore users.
The service has been launched in association with ibibo in India, in which Tencent has a minority stake.
"With increasing popularity of smartphones, we think this is the right time to launch this solution. The youth today want to stay more connected and this app is an ideal solution," Tencent International Business Group Head (International Product Centre) Dennis Hau told reporters here.
He, however, declined to comment on the targetted userbase in India and the marketing budget for the service.
"The service is free and will continue to be so. WE will look at monetising the platform, but the goal right now is to popularise the service," ibibo President (Mobile and Gaming) Rahul Razdan said.
With the growth of data services in India, text messaging is declining as people are using free apps like Nimbuzz, WhatsApp, RockeTalk, ebuddy and Viber to communicate with their friends and analysts said the trend will only grow.
PTI
