BlackBerry to offer free voice calls on BBM

Zeebiz Bureau

Toronto/New Delhi: BlackBerry will allow its users to make free voice calls over Wi-Fi network, report said on Thursday.

Research In Motion, the makers of BlackBerry, is bringing a new feature for its popular BBM messaging service which will offer free Wi-Fi calls.

Reportedly, BBM users will be able to switch back and forth from a text chat to a voice call. RIM also says a split-screen option will let them talk and text at the same time.

The Canadian company says the BBM voice feature is especially attractive for developing markets. Unlike regular texts, BBM messages are not charged on a per-text basis.

RIM is struggling in North America to hold onto customers who are abandoning BlackBerrys for flashier iPhones and Android phone. But the BlackBerry continues to sell well in markets like South Africa, Nigeria and Indonesia.

With Agency Inputs