YiChat Mobile IM User Base Exceeds 30 Mln
Securities Times, 10/30/13
Mobile instant messaging application YiChat ("Yixin"), jointly developed by China Telecom (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) and Netease (Nasdaq: NTES), has reached a user base of 30 mln in the two months following the app's release, according to YiChat operating company Zhejiang Yixin Technology. The app is growing at a rate of 200,000 new users per day, with a daily active user rate of 28% of total users. An average of 32 mln messages are sent through YiChat each day, among which, voice messages account for 23% and images account for 12%. More than 70% of YiChat users are aged 16-25.
YiChat's product manager Zhang Xing has revealed that later versions of the app will include payment and gaming functionality. Additionally, YiChat is preparing to release an improved free data plan to lessen data costs for existing users and to attract new users, while expanding the plan to all telecom operators (as opposed to just China Telecom customers).
A representative for Yixin Technology has disclosed that the company has nearly reached agreements with China Unicom (NYSE: CHU; 0762.HK; 600050.SH) and China Mobile (NYSE: CHL; 0941.HK) to eliminate user data fees for YiChat usage. Beginning in mid-November, YiChat users will be able to use the service without accruing data charges, no matter which operator's network they use. Prior to this, YiChat merely provided 300M of dedicated free data to China Telecom customers who signed up for the service for the first time.
Yixin Technology estimates that, after a year, YiChat will have assumed nearly RMB 200 mln in data fees from China Telecom YiChat users. The free data policy that is slated to take effect shortly will increase the amount of user data fees that YiChat will pay. It is not clear if Yixin Technology will pay China Unicom and China Mobile directly for data used, or if the companies will reach a resource exchange or some other type of agreement.
Keywords: mobile data Zhang Xing Netease China Telecom users wireless mobile IM 0728.HK CHA NTES YiChat active users mobile application Yixin Technology
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