10 million new users sign up for Chikka

Chikka Asia Inc., creator of the popular Internet-based Chikka Text Messenger, announced that over 10 million new users signed up for the service in 2008.

This brings to 50 million the total number of users who have registered to use the service since its launch in 2001. 

“Chikka represents today a most vibrant Web and mobile community with probably one of the most brisk exchanges of messages between computers and mobile handsets. That’s because we’ve made it very easy for someone on a PC to send a text message, and reciprocally just as easy for mobile users to send back instant messages,” said Chito Bustamante, Chikka chief executive officer.

The company also revealed the extent of Chikka Text Messenger’s global reach with half of all log-ins coming from outside the Philippines in over 200 countries. 

“The global Filipino is an important driver of our business. Chikka, which is one of the most cost-efficient and effective ways for him to stay connected with family, is part of his ‘survival kit’ and therefore his evolution. That it combines two technologies is testament to its high level of sophistication,” added Bustamante.

And then there is the local online community that has grown from two percent of the population in 2001 to over 20 percent or some 22 million Filipinos online in 2008, devouring, among others, blogging, social networking, exchange of multimedia content and of course, instant messaging, and with it a new generation of Chikka.

In May 2008, Chikka launched the Web-based version of Chikka Text Messenger. The new Chikka is compatible with other popular IMs and sends SMS to an expanded list of mobile networks.

This version rightfully resides in Chikka.com on the new Web 2.0 platform that also makes the site ready for user-generated content.

“Soon we hope to integrate new features that would continue to empower our users and allow them to experience true convergence of the best of Web and mobile. We recognize the power of social networks and the new Internet culture which continuously drive us to create more innovative and network-driven platforms that not only address everyone’s need to communicate, but also the need of our community of over 50 million users to build meaningful connections and interactions with the rest of the world,” Bustamante said.