Samsung Electronics has announces that its instant messaging (IM) service, Ch@t, has reached more than 150 000 registered users, since its inception in December last year. In the last two months, the Korean company’s Ch@t service has seen a 1500% increase, with one record day in which over 20 000 users were added.

Brett Loubser, B2C apps development lead at Samsung SA stated: “Since the launch of our communications platform Ch@t, we have seen significant growth in the use of this service among consumers, showing the large need for consumers to always be in instant contact.”

“And now, given the fact that Ch@t is at present open to other devices – not only are we seeing users move away from current leading chat services, but we are likely to see this growth increase going forward.”

Samsung said that because of the estimated 5.3 billion mobile subscribers globally (an estimated 77% of the total global population), there is a high demand coming from the consumer market, to be able to access relevant applications on their mobile devices. These relevant apps must best suit their everyday needs, one of which is instant communication at a convenient cost.

The company is now offering loyalty rewards to users of the Samsung Ch@t application. Loubser explains: “At its core, Ch@t is an IM messaging application, but it is also a loyalty based reward scheme. Points can be earned in the application, and these points can be redeemed in-app for airtime. Samsung users earn twice the points of non-Samsung users so in essence, it pays to use Samsung!”

Ch@t launched as a Java application that runs on many Samsung mobile devices that sport Java capabilities. Users are able to download the application for free, allowing them to communicate via a chat client in real time and at a reduced cost over standard SMS messages. The app draws contacts from the user’s contact list on their mobile phone, allowing users to communicate in a quicker and more economical manner.

It was also created locally, in line with Samsung’s built for Africa drive. Ch@t is one of the few cross platform IM solutions currently available, making it possible to connect to the BBM platform and iOS amongst others.

“We have a long term strategy with this application for our consumers, where additional features and functionality are being added constantly, like this loyalty based reward scheme,” Loubser concluded.

“Samsung is committed to not only offering the South African consumer the latest innovative technology, but also the ability to have access to applications that will truly make a difference to their communication experience, and that will reward them in the long run. This Ch@t service and reward scheme is just another way we are enhancing the overall user experience of Samsung mobile devices – through convenience and rewards.”

Users can download the Samsung Ch@t service from the Galaxy S II maker’s website.