Vinaphone,Gemalto launch LinqUs Yahoo Messenger in Vietnam

Gemalto and Vinaphone have launched LinqUs Yahoo Messenger for SIM solution for access to Yahoo Messenger in Vietnam .

Through Gemalto's SIM-based Yahoo Messenger solution, Vinaphone will enable its customers to enjoy all the key features offered by the full personal computer version of Yahoo Messenger, regardless of their handset model.

"Vinaphone is first in the world to offer the service, and Gemalto's LinqUs Yahoo Messenger for SIM is the only SIM-based application certified by Yahoo. The embedded software application is compatible with 100% of mobile handsets using SMS and without needing a mobile internet connection," the company mentioned in its statement.

"LinqUs Yahoo Messenger for SIM offers key social messaging features including direct pop-up notification of incoming messages, offline message reception, multiple simultaneous chats in three different languages and easy contact management. Automatic login with username and password is also possible," the company sain in a statement.

"Worldwide churn rate is higher among pre-paid subscribers and as Vietnam's 90% of the subscriber base consists of pre-paid accounts, Gemalto's solution to make Yahoo Messenger available on any handset will help us strengthen customer loyalty," said Nguyen Hoang Hai, Manager of Business Department, Value Added Service Center, Vinaphone.

"Gemalto has developed a truly innovative solution that will enable Yahoo to be a part of users' daily digital routines,"said Yvonne Chang, Managing Director - India & South East Asia, Yahoo.

"Only 34 percent of the 87-million population in Vietnam uses mobile internet today, so our LinqUs Yahoo Messenger for SIM, which doesn't require subscribers to have a smart phone to enjoy Yahoo Messenger services, comes as a very good solution for Vinaphone to target the segment of non-data phone users," added Michael Au, Senior Vice-President of Telecommunications at Gemalto Asia.