BERNE, Switzerland -- There are now even more ways for iO-users to communicate – up to 50 friends are now able to chat together at once and users will soon be able to share video messages with one another, in addition to photos. Since the app was launched some four months ago, over 400,000 users worldwide have installed iO on their smartphones and enjoyed making calls and chatting free-of-charge. Sensitive user data shall also remain in Switzerland in future, saved on Swisscom servers.

The number of smartphone users able to be contacted via iO is ever rising – the app has already been installed more than 400,000 times. Thanks to iO, many customers have also been able to save money on roaming fees when travelling outside of Switzerland. This is also due to free Wi-Fi access in hotels and restaurants, as well as the attractive roaming data packages offered by Swisscom. Customers with a Natel infinity subscription and iO can even make calls from a Wi-Fi network to Switzerland free-of-charge. Swisscom is currently in the process of expanding the app's functionality: up to 50 friends can now use iO to chat together at the same time. As before, photos, contacts and the users' own locations can be shared with the group. In addition, iO users will soon be able to swap video messages with each other.

Users with Internet connections can use iO to call and send messages to other iO users free-of-charge. Users can also take advantage of iO packages to call any number in Switzerland, North America and the EU at a flat rate. Sensitive data, such as names, telephone numbers and message content, will also remain saved on Swisscom servers located in Switzerland in future. Moreover, sent messages, images and Internet-based conversations are encrypted.

Swisscom AG (NYSE: SCM)