Singtel, Singapore’s largest telco, has launched a Whatsapp competitor called Wavee. The free-to-use app promises high-quality voice and video calls and the ability to send instant messages. It claims to be the first telco in Southeast Asia to launch something like this.
The app is available worldwide on the Google Play and Apple App Store. It does not allow advertising. While using Whatsapp can rake up data costs, Singtel will waive all local data charges for people who use Wavee on Singtel’s postpaid and prepaid mobile plans. The offer lasts till July 9, 2015.
Wavee gives users the ability to attach photos, videos, sketches, audio files, and documents to messages. They can share their current location, and send messages and files while chatting on voice at the same time. Android users have the extra option of choosing Wavee as the default SMS app. This feature is coming to iOS, it says.
The app is taking a page from Line and WeChat by offering “locally themed” stickers. By the second half of 2015, Wavee users would be able to make calls to any local number.
Singtel is positioning itself as a major player in the apps space, or what the industry calls “over-the-top services.” However, Singtel CEO Chua Sock Koong believes telcos should be allowed to charge apps like Whatsapp and Facebook for using its network.
Wavee could reignite the net neutrality conversation again. Singtel has the ability to charge Whatsapp for using its fast lanes while giving its own services a free pass.
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