LINE announces new, affordable data calling service

We know LINE already allows free calling to other LINE users, but what about those who don’t have the application downloaded? Sure, you can try to get them on board, but if they decline the invite, there will soon be another option for you in the form of a new data-based calling service being offered by the popular messaging service. The service will come with two plan option: Pay-as-you-go and a 30 day plan, which LINE detailed at a company event.

It’s all about stickers, really. LINE means stickers, but as the company keeps telling us, its apps do so much more than that — and even more starting next month. The Japanese messaging service is launching a new data-based call service that attempts to undercut the voice-call pricing on typical land-lines and mobile carriers. With a pay-as-you-go and 30-day plan both outlined at the company’s showcase event, it’s scheduled to launch this March in Japan, US, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and the Philippines. For its native country, the 30-day plan (priced at one minute for 6.5 yen, roughly 6.4 cents), will offer up to a maximum of 60 minutes maximum, encompassing both mobile and landline calls. A separate call credit plan will cost 14 yen per minute to mobile phones (including overseas) and three yen to landlines.