In the ongoing battle for more users and differentiation in the battle between messaging apps, today LINE has launched its newest feature: a flat-rate voice calling service called LINE Call, to expand an already existing feature that let LINE users call each other via the app. The first markets to get the service will be Android users in eight markets — Columbia, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Spain, Thailand, and the U.S.A., who can download version 4.1.0 to access the service. The idea will be to expand that to more platforms and more countries over time.
The service comes as competition against the likes of Skype and Google for cheap in-app calls using mobile data instead of a users’ voice minutes. But it also is a way for LINE to offer an expanded service compared to its more immediate messaging competitors. WhatsApp last month announced that it, too, would soon be offering voice calls but it has yet to reveal the details of what this will entail.
However, it did also announce that it would soon be unveiling a new, groundbreaking deal with E-Plus in Germany, and this could be a hint that whatever voice service it creates will more closely link up with carriers.
As you can see from the diagram that Line has published listing pricing for the service, it looks like China will soon be turned on as well. Prices for landline calls start at 2 cents per minute (the US, Mexico, Peru, Spain and China when it comes on there get this cheaper rate) up to 12 cents per minute in the Philippines. Mobile calls range from 4 cents through to 15 cents per minute.
LINE notes that it is offering users two ways of paying for calls, either via call credits that you pre-pay for in advance (similar to Skype), or with 30-day voice plans that entail a fixed number of minutes for each month, which will work out as less expensive if you plan to use it a lot.
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