Exclusive: Way2Sms To Launch Mobile App On The Lines Of Whatsapp

Way2sms , one of India's largest person-to-person (P2P) messaging portal run by Way2online Interactive India Pvt Ltd, will soon announce its all-new mobile app for the android platform, VV Raju, CEO and founder of Way2sms, told Techcircle.in in an exclusive interaction.

"It's true that B2C messaging has somewhat lost its shine and to keep up with the evolving technology, we will soon announce a mobile app, on the lines of the popular Whatsapp. Devices which download the new app, will be chat-enabled," said Raju.

The app will be initially launched for the android platform only, most likely in a month's time, followed by the BlackBerry and the iPhone versions. It will be a messenger of sorts, aiming at redefining the SMS vertical which lost its relevance post-smartphone invasion. The current TRAI regulation has also hit the SMS market big time. "Although the new regulation on daily SMS limits is more relaxed and exempts certain businesses, we did lose about 16-17 per cent of our business because of the ban," said Raju. He, however, declined to divulge further details on how the new app would be different from Whatsapp and other such features.

Way2sms.com claims a registered user base of 23 million people and was the first one to start such a service in India. Only a few weeks ago, the company acquired 160by2, a P2P messaging portal, from Hyderabad-based SMSCountry Networks Pvt Ltd. As part of the deal, Way2online acquired SMSCountry's asset160by2.com, as well as its key engineering team and intellectual property associated with 160by2.com. Post-acquisition, 160by2 will continue to grow as an independent unit under the leadership of way2online.

Asked about the future plans of Way2sms and 160by2, Raju said, "We are looking to strengthening both brands independently. We have a combined number of 32 million unique registered users and it says a lot about the market reach."

Way2online is also looking to launch an online learning platform and foray into the e-mail marketing segment. According to Raju, the e-mail marketing space needs proper exploration in the Indian context. Also, most of the domain is built for the online learning platform and the company will soon deliver a global e-learning platform.