China Telecom Enters Instant Messaging Market with eSurfing Live

China Telecom has finally made a dent in the instant messaging market after a year of effort, thanks to its partnership with Microsoft. The company launched its eSurfing Live software, which allows mobile phone users to access internet services and send short messages directly to mobile phones. The software, which is currently in beta testing, will also integrate with China Telecom's other businesses, including My eHome and eSurfing Card. This move marks a significant step for China Telecom, which has been struggling to catch up with market leader China Mobile's Fetion service, which has over 147 million registered users.

Key Takeaways:

China Telecom has entered the instant messaging market with eSurfing Live, a software jointly developed with Microsoft.
The software allows mobile phone users to access internet services and send short messages directly to mobile phones.
eSurfing Live will integrate with China Telecom's other businesses, including My eHome and eSurfing Card.
The software is currently in beta testing, with no official launch date announced.
China Telecom started cooperation with Microsoft in September 2006 and clinched an agreement in November 2008.
China Mobile's Fetion service has 147 million registered users, with 73.65 million new users added in 2008 alone.
The market leader for instant messaging in China is QQ, developed by Tencent, with 72% of mobile phone users using mobile instant messaging software.

Statistics:

147 million registered users of China Mobile's Fetion service by the end of 2008.
73.65 million new users of Fetion in 2008 alone.
72% of mobile phone users in China use mobile instant messaging software.
Mobile QQ takes 80.8% of the market.
China Telecom has launched a series of value-added telecom services, including ChinaNet, Video, Global Eyes, Push to Talk, OA, iMusic, Pushmail, and others.

Sources:

SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX
IT market research firm iResearch