India has proved to be the fastest growing market for What’s App rival – LINE, a Japan-based free calling and instant messaging app developer. India remains to be the third-largest smartphone market in the world after the United States and China hence, a target for various messaging applications.
LINE, Off to a Flying Start in India
Line went operational in India, this July. Soon thereafter, the service reached over 5 million registered user mark in India in three weeks time and more than 200 million users globally. Fast forward 3 months, Line reports it has doubled its user-base in India.
Furthermore, the service officials claim they will soon reach the 20 million user mark too by the year end. For the very task, it’s already in discussions for partnerships with telecom operators and various handset makers. Also, Line has roped in Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif to endorse the brand.
The focus this year is on increasing the number of users. We are confident of crossing the 20 million-mark before this year-end,” said Line Corporation CEO Akira Morikawa.
Apart from expanding the user base and promoting its service, Line is also working on introducing newer services like e-commerce and music through its platform. Line is not the only service fighting for the niche. Competitors like ChatOn (Samsung’s in-house messenger) also crossed 100 million users globally. In addition, there are other IMs like Facebook messenger app as well as Google’s Hangout app vying to acquire a relevant user-base in this competition.
Will Line garner more profits and reach new heights?? Let’s wait and watch!
