WhatsApp’s call feature gives telcos more competition

With the new feature, WhatsApp joins the ranks of competing apps like Viber, Skype and Apple FaceTime – services which have been eating into telcos’ traditional business revenue, including voice and SMS. — PHOTO: ST FILE

First, it was free text messages. Now WhatsApp users can call each other, provided they have an Internet connection, for free.

Users simply click on the “Calls” tab to phone a friend, who can be located anywhere around the world. But this works only when both parties are on the latest version of the app and have an Internet connection – Wi-Fi or mobile data.

With the new feature, WhatsApp joins the ranks of competing apps like Viber, Skype and Apple FaceTime – services which have been eating into telcos’ traditional business revenue, including voice and SMS.

But Singtel told The Straits Times that it will take on such competition, saying it is reviving plans to launch a WhatsApp and Skype equivalent – offering both Internet voice call and text messaging services. No details are available, pending the app’s launch which will be “soon”.