"WhatsApp" rival "Line" eyes 20 million users in India

08-10-2013

MUMBAI: Japanese messaging application provider Line today said it aims to double its user base in India to 20 million by year-end and has roped in Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif to endorse the brand. Line, which started its operations in India in July this year, claims to have 10 million registered users already. Besides free messaging, it also offers free voice calls, video and audio file sharing and stickers. "The focus this year is on increasing the number of users. We are confident of crossing the 20 million-mark before this year-end," Line Corporation CEO Akira Morikawa said. Line is also working on introducing newer services like e-commerce and music through its platform, he added but declined to divulge further information. Launched in 2011, Line has 230 million users globally, with 20% of its user base in Japan. It is present in 55 countries with its other big markets being Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and Spain.