Line, the popular Japan-based messaging service, has announced it will be launching a data-based calling service in March, taking on VoIP services like Skype, and Hangouts. Line is looking to undercut normal voice call pricing from mobile and landline operators.
The Line app's upcoming calling feature, allowing Line users to call mobiles and landlines across the globe, will initially be made available under two plans - pay-as-you-go and 30-day plan. While in Japan, the 30-day plan will offer a maximum of 60 minutes, a separate plan with call credits is said to cost JPY 14 (Rs. 8 approximately) per minute to ISD mobile phones and JPY 3 (Re. 1 approximately) to landlines, states Engadget.
The service is expected to reach Japan, US, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and the Philippines in March this year.
Additionally, it has been understood that Line will be letting its millions of users sell their own stickers online via its web store, called Line Creators Market, a new platform launched on Wednesday. Registration is free of cost for users. One can upload a total of 42 images, which includes a set of 40 stickers, one main image, and one image for sticker tab in chats. After the sticker is reviewed against the firm's sticker sales criteria, the user can start selling the stickers. Each sticker set will be priced at JPY 100 (Rs. 60 approximately). 50 percent of the revenue from the stickers will be sent to the user's bank account.
WhatsApp, the popular cross-platform messaging service for smartphones, recently announced it will soon also be offering a voice service. CEO Jan Koum said the voice service will be deployed for Android and iPhones this spring, with Blackberry and Microsoft and Nokia phones coming later.
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