WhatsApp to add voice calls

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February 25, 2014

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1 minute

The addition of a voice call function will put the instant messaging app alongside services such as Skype, Viber and Tango.

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Ellen Hammett Ellen is Mediatel's senior reporter covering all aspects of the media industry. She also writes the publication's in-depth business interviews. Contact: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> / 020 7420 3252

Instant messaging service WhatsApp has announced that it will soon be adding a voice call function.

Following Facebook’s $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp – and after a short time in which the service was down for all of its 450 million monthly users worldwide – speaking at Mobile World Congress, the company’s CEO, Jan Koum, announced that voice calls will soon become an option.

WhatsApp already offers voice notes – small audio clips – however the addition of voice calls will put it alongside services such as Skype, Viber and Tango.

Although Koum did not confirm a date for the roll-out, he did say that iOS and Android users will have the capability during the second quarter of 2014.