With the addition of a new feature, users of four domestic messengers may send messages to each other.
Reports indicate that the interconnection feature is now available for four domestic messengers: Bale, Eitaa, iGap and Gap, through which users can send messages to their contacts in the other three messengers, ISNA reported.
To use the interconnection feature, users should agree to receive messages through the other messengers in the privacy and security section of the settings of each of the domestic messengers.
Information and Communications Technologies Minister Isa Zarepour has promised to add this feature to two other messengers, Soroush Plus and Rubika, in the near future.
Internal connection between messengers or MXP makes it possible to send messages from an Iranian messenger to other similar domestic platforms.
According to the developers of this feature, there are two methods for facilitating internal communication between messengers (or MXP), and the domestic platforms use the automatic method. In this method, the MXP server automatically selects the most desired destination (server) for sending a message from one messenger to another.
Before the official announcement of interconnection between domestic messengers, Mehdi Anjidani, the CEO of Gap, an Iranian messenger, announced that the interconnection between domestic platforms was successful.
“The Gap version 9.15 will be unveiled with a new feature that can connect to another messengers’ server and communication with this app with all [domestic] messengers will be provided to users. The Android version, the web version and the desktop version of the chat will be released first and the iOS version of GAP with this feature for iPhone users will be available after the release of these versions,” he said.
The new feature gives domestic messengers an upper hand over foreign counterparts and may increase their popularity among Iranian users.
Reports indicate that the users of domestic messengers and social media apps have increased considerably over the past two and a half months.
One of the main reasons behind the proliferation of new messaging apps is the filtering of popular messengers and social media platforms after the nationwide protests in the past few months.
According to statistics released by the Information and Communications Technologies Ministry, Eitas, Bale and Rubika had 15.2 million, 9.8 million and 35 million active monthly users until Dec. 6, 2022.
Compared with the data announced on Feb. 20, the number of monthly users of these platforms shows a rise of 6 million, 5 million and 3 million, respectively.
Domestic Cellphone Operator Piloting Video Call Feature
The video call feature has been piloted by one of the domestic operators on some cellphone brands without installing a software, according to Information and Communications Technologies Minister Isa Zarepour.
In an interview with ISNA, the ICT minister said video calls could be activated by cellphone operators that have been notified of tariffs determined by the Regulation Commission of the Communications Regulatory Agency and approved by the Council of Ministers.
“However, to launch this service, we also need the support of phone manufacturers who should enable this feature on phones marketed in Iran. Currently, this service has been tested on cellphones by one of the operators [Rightel],” he said.
Clarifying that cellphones, their hardware, order registration and import are the responsibilities of the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade, Zarepour said the issue is being followed up with the ministries of industries and foreign affairs to ensure that foreign manufacturers of cellphones activate this feature for Iranian subscribers.
Rightel, the third major mobile phone operator in Iran, had announced plans to allow video calls many years ago, but was scuttled when it met with objections based on misplaced sensitivities regarding violation of privacy.
After people turned to social networks for making video calls, the issue was neglected by officials.
One of the main issues of video call is that people should be familiarized with the feature to not feel anxious about its so-called invasive nature. In fact, subscribers have the right to choose the type of calls (video or voice) they intend to take.
After these objections and disagreements waned, the ICT minister announced that subscribers can make a video call via cellphone without installing a software, which will also not cost much.
However, the precise details of how to activate this service and when it would be offered by all domestic cellphone service providers have not been revealed.
