VietNamNet Bridge – Experts believe that the launching of Viber’s version in Vietnamese language and the version for computers would have direct impacts on the OTTs with the focus on basic communications such as Skype, Yahoo Messenger, rather than on the mobile platforms OTTs like Zalo, Kakao Talk or Line.
On May 7, Viber updated the 3.0 version for iOS and Android, providing the Vietnamese version, allowing users to use Viber in a more convenient way. The difference between Viber and the other similar apps is that Viber can automatically change the language to come in line with the language of the devices. This means that users can only use Vietnamese version, if the device’s language is Vietnamese.
Not only pleasing users with the indigenous language and the image messaging, Viber has also introduced the version for Windows and Mac OS computer operation systems.
The version for computers have similar features with the one for smart phones, including messaging and calling. Besides, the PC version allows making free calls from computer to computer which are both installed with Viber, and from computer to mobile phone.
Users have also noted the improvement in the service quality. Especially, when making conversation, users just need to press one button on the screen to forward the call to PCs or vice versa.
Talmon Marco, Director of Viber, said that though the number of Viber users in Vietnam remains modest, just accounting for 2 percent of the total users, Viber still can see the great potentials in the market with the rapid increase in new users, about 500,000 monthly.
By early April, Viber reportedly had had 4 million users in Vietnam. If noting that the number of users increases by 500,000 every month, it hopes to have millions or tens of millions of users by the end of 2013.
Zalo, Kakao Talk say they don’t confront directly with Viber
The representative of VTC Online, which is now cooperating with Kakao Corp to develop Kakao Talk, said until May 7, VTC had never thought that Viber was a direct rival for Kakao Talk.
He said while Viber is defined as the app used to make calls and messages free of charge, Kakao Talk is a mobile platform with an aim of building up as more apps as possible to attract more users.
However, Kakao Talk still has every reason to be confident in its success in Vietnam. Viber has been penetrating the Vietnamese market in a spontaneous way, while the big guy has not set up its office or carried out the activities to popularize its products.
Vuong Quang Khai, Deputy CEO of VNG, also said VNG does not think Viber is a direct rival for Zalo, because Viber focuses on the communication, while Zalo, like Line and Kakao Talk, focuses on building a mobile platform which allows to integrate added value services or social networks.
As such, with the upgrading, Viber would cement its Number 1 position among the OTT apps which allow to make free calls and messages on the Internet. It has a very wide range of customers, from high school and university students to middle aged people. Meanwhile, Zalo, Line and Kakao Talk would compete in upgrading the features and apps on their ecosystems.
Buu Dien