WhatsApp will add free voice call services for its 450
million customers in the second quarter of 2014, laying down a new challenge to
telecom network operators just days after Facebook Inc scooped it up for $19
billion.
World’s biggest mobile messaging service WhatsApp intends
to add voice calling feature to its free messaging service in the second
quarter of 2014, it was announced on 24/02/2014 Monday.
The move is aimed at enabling WhatsApp users to be able to make calls, just as they can now text messages.
WhatsApp founder and chief executive Jan Koum, while
addressing the opening day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain,
confirmed the aim was to introduce voice calls, initially on the iPhone and
Android. Windows Phones and BlackBerrys will be included at a later date, he
added.
”We are adding voice to WhatsApp so that people can stay
in touch with friends and loved ones no matter where they are in the world,”
said Koum.
”We use the least amount of bandwidth and we have optimized
it. We have made sure the quality is there,” Koum said, adding there were no
other plans to change his company in the new Facebook era.
“WhatsApp will continue to function as if it is an
independent company without adding to its small staff of just 55 employees as
the intention is for it to be able to remain as adaptable as possible.”