Pony Ma revealed that Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK: 0700) will not charge customers for using WeChat, saying that the company is talking with dozens of carriers about long-term mutual benefiting cooperation.
In March 2013, reports said that customers will be charged for using WeChat, because the interests of carriers have been harmed. Hence, the top three carriers have hold talks with Tencent about charge standards. Not long after, the rampant talks were denied by Tencent.
Tencent pointed out that it aimed to achieve win-win cooperation with carriers and team up to offer more value added service to wireless Internet users, which will improve their loyalty and boost ARPU for carriers.
So far, WeChat has recorded more than 50 million users abroad, ranking number one in Indonesia, India, Mexico, Malaysia and Philippines in terms of download. According to brand list from WWP, Tencent currently has a ranking higher than that for Facebook.