Russia’s MTS is planning to launch an OTT service that will rival both Skype and WhatsApp.
Quoting company spokesman Dmitry Soldovnikov, RAI Novosti and The Moscow Times report that it will provide such multimedia features as file exchange, calls and video conferencing via a single application integrated with the user’s telephone number and social network pages.
He added that it would be based on Rich Communication Suite (RCS) technology.
The OTT service is currently being tested and will become available to subscribers in H1 this year, initially in Moscow and then other parts of the country.
MTS’ investment in it stands at over R100 million (€1.33 million).
Given that the penetration of Skype and WhatsApp is relatively low in MTS’ subscriber base, the company will be aiming to secure new users rather than active ones of other services.
MTS is one of the top three mobile operators in Russia and also a leading provider of pay-TV services.
