July 20, 2023
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4min

 



 

 

 

The most preferred telco for Sri Lankan youth, Airtel Lanka, announced an exciting expansion of its highly acclaimed Airtel 888 Freedom Plus pack with the addition of three more popular unlimited social media apps.

Catering to the evolving demands of fast-growing customer base across Sri Lanka, the newly expanded 888 pack now offers Airtel users unlimited experience on three more platforms: Telegram, IMO, and Viber

“We are excited to announce the expansion of our Airtel Rs. 888 Freedom Plus pack, further enhancing the prepaid value proposition for our customers. The addition of Viber, IMO, and Telegram was based on the remarkable demand we received from customers, who have already been enthusiastic about the value they get from the 888 price point.

“With unlimited access to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Messenger, WhatsApp, and now Viber, IMO, and Telegram, we continue to hold our promise of a simple, streamlined and affordable experience. Our customers can easily cover their telecommunication needs without changing usage habits or dealing with the complexity of separate purchases for different apps. This is why no other product in the market can match the value of the Airtel Freedom packs,” Airtel Sri Lanka MD/CEO Ashish Chandra said.

The Airtel 888 pack not only provides unlimited access to these popular social media platforms but also comes bundled with all the perks of Airtel’s popular Freedom packages. Customers will receive 30GB of data, with a daily allocation of 1GB, enabling seamless browsing, streaming, and downloading experiences. Additionally, the pack offers unlimited free calls to any network, allowing customers to stay connected with their loved ones. The pack also includes 1,000 Airtel to Airtel SMSs and 50 local SMSs for convenient and hassle-free communication. All these benefits are valid for a period of 30 days.

As a front-runner in consumer-focused innovation within the Sri Lankan telco sector, Airtel Sri Lanka continually endeavors to provide cutting-edge solutions to its valued customers. The expansion of the Airtel 888 pack is a testament to this commitment, further amplifying their ability to exceed customer expectations and deliver an unparalleled mobile experience.

To activate the Airtel 888 pack and gain unlimited access to a comprehensive range of social media platforms, customers can easily reload Rs. 888 or activate the pack through the user-friendly My Airtel App. Alternatively, they can recharge via the recharge portal available at https://recharge.airtel.lk

 



 

 


October 27, 2022
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2min

 



 

 

 

Need Assistance from Dialog?

Simply access Dialog’s Digital Assistant DIA for instant support! DIA, is available for you at any time to help you with all Dialog service-related queries. DIA is the easiest and most seamless, next-gen way of getting assistance from Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog.

With DIA, there’s no need to call customer support or visit a Dialog Experience Centre. Simply type “Hi” on WhatsApp (0777 678 678), Facebook Messenger via Dialog’s Facebook page, Instagram via Dialog’s Instagram page, or on Viber (0777 678 678). You can also access DIA using the MyDialog App and Dialog.lk, and DIA will instantly respond to you.

Through DIA, you can check your Dialog Connection Balance, Reload or make bill payments, check your data usage, activate/ deactivate services and many more, whether you’re using Dialog Mobile, Dialog Home Broadband or Dialog TV, you can access wide range of services instantly.

Powered by the latest AI and machine learning technology, DIA is virtual human, and will smartly respond to your requests for assistance using simple everyday language including all of the three languages; Sinhala, English and Tamil. That means you can talk to DIA, the way which you’re most comfortable.

So, the next time you need assistance from Dialog, Just say “Hi” to DIA and ask for the assistance you need.

 



 

 

 


August 18, 2022
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6min

 



 

 

Priority to improve user experience with Viber’s own digital wallet and other features enhancement

17th August 2022: New Rakuten Viber Chief Executive Officer Ofir Eyal is bringing the popular communications app to the fintech category as it’s determined to offer users more than its core messaging and calling features, a critical move to fulfill its vision of becoming a super app.

Viber is set to roll out the in-app Payments service, allowing users to create a digital wallet within the platform. Payments wallets can be linked to bank accounts as well as Visa and Mastercard to transfer money to other individuals, buy products, and pay for bills. Viber will first introduce peer-to-peer transfers, which will be available to users for free.  The service will be available in Germany and Greece later this summer, during the first period, Viber will gather user feedback necessary to further improve the product before launching in additional markets.

“In my role as CEO, I am honored to lead and be part of a highly-driven team in Rakuten Viber as we pursue the company’s vision and mission in the face of impending challenges. In addition, we would like to keep Viber’s high standards and innovative spirit when it comes to operating and enhancing the app to improve the user experience and ultimately, become a super app. I will always appreciate and be grateful to employees who are part of the journey to make  Viber become what it is today.” Mr. Eyal said.

“I clearly define my role and mission in serving both the organization and our users. This journey can be challenging but Viber and I are more committed than ever to deliver on our technology promise.”

Viber’s CEO, who stepped into the role in August last year, has made significant contributions to growing and bringing Viber closer to users throughout the journey of his more than 7-year tenure with the company. During this time, his responsibilities as Rakuten Viber’s Vice President of Product before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer, include focusing on user experience, customer success, content, and localization.

Recently, Viber’s ongoing advancements have provided features to help maximize the user experience in both business and entertainment, together with encouraging users to communicate with each other. Now occupying Viber’s highest post, Mr. Eyal oversees the implementation of the company’s ambitious product development and market expansion efforts. Meanwhile, he looks for new business opportunities as the company continues to distinguish itself as a global industry leader.

APAC is currently one of Viber’s highest growth regions. It grows over 20% annually and continues to innovate partnerships and projects unique to the region. Viber continues to invest in the Asia Pacific region and is set to rapidly grow its user base by producing more country-specific partnerships, localizing strategies and offerings, and providing more benefits to Viber users.

In Sri Lanka, Rakuten Viber, one of the most preferred and trusted messaging apps, is recognised for honoring its commitment to providing users free and secure communication. It also continues to drive local partnerships to cater to its users’ passion and interests. Celebrating Sri Lanka’s love for cricket, Viber delighted users with a dedicated Cricket Vibes Channel providing members with match updates, live scores, news alerts, the opportunity to predict matches and ability to win a range of incredible prizes in addition to fun trivia, shareable memes, and more. A special feature on the channel is ‘Cricket Talks’, an exclusive bi-weekly talk show segment exclusive access to a range of cricket-related content featuring superstar cricketers. Currently, the channel has over 800K members and actively growing.

With a clear direction on where he wants to take Viber next, Mr. Eyal’s leadership is expected to sustain Viber’s continued growth in product and service development and expansion into new markets, as well as entrench Viber as a major and innovative player in the global messaging and app landscape.

 



 

 

 


June 2, 2022
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6min

 



 

 

 

Farveez Maharoof and Arif Roney team up with Rakuten Viber to rally cricket fans in celebrating their love for cricket this season as they bring in fan-favorite player, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Bangladeshi fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, and all-time favorite ex-cricketer now most sought-after coach, Lasith Malinga, on a special talk show exclusively on Viber.

02nd June 2022: Rakuten Viber does it again this Cricket season by elevating the entire cricket experience for its users with the launch of even better activities and exciting features on its popular messaging platform. Coming from last year’s celebration of the Cricket Fiesta, Viber continues with the trend of delighting its users with an experience that’s even more intense and engaging for its cricket loving fans. So brace yourself for a cricket fever like never before with a dedicated Cricket Vibes Channel where you’ll not only receive match updates and news alerts but also get exclusive access to a range of cricket-related content directly from your favorite Cricketers!

The hottest addition to this year’s lineup of activities includes Cricket Talks an exclusive bi-weekly talk show segment, hosted within the Cricket Vibes Channel where former Sri Lankan Cricket Player and Commentator, Farveez Maharoof and Bangladesh Sports Journalist Arif Roney come together to talk about all things Cricket. The talk show will also feature special guests such as Sri Lanka’s star cricket player Bhanuka Rajapaksa, famous fast bowler Taskin Ahmed from the Bangladesh Cricket team,and all-time favorite ex-cricketer and now most sought-after coach, Lasith Malinga. The special episodes will see appearances by some of these crowd-favorite players of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh engaging in conversations about recent cricket matches, tournaments, and more.

“Last year’s Viber Cricket Fiesta really helped us in discovering the likes and dislikes of our cricket enthusiasts on Viber, and so we’re fully geared to once again celebrate a sport that is much loved by our South Asian fans. We’re bringing back their favorite features such the AR-powered Viber Lenses, an even-more interactive Viber Channel where fans can engage more with their most loved cricketers in real-time, win exciting prizes, and have a lot more fun through a gamified experience,” said David Tse, Senior Director at Rakuten Viber.

 The dedicated Cricket Vibes Channel provides members with updates about upcoming matches, live score news, the chance to predict matches, and win a range of incredible prizes in addition to fun trivia, shareable memes, and more. The discussions are endless and even before the hype of Indian League wanes, the anticipation of The Cricket World Cup is already brewing! With the excitement hovering around, the Cricket Vibes Channel is something you don’t want to miss out on this Cricket Season, especially if you’re a fan who wants updates on the go.

If there’s one thing that Viber has always stood out for over the years, it’s for consistently raising the bar of its user experience on the popular messaging platform. From creating custom sticker packs during every noteworthy occasion to integrating the latest technology through AR-powered Lenses,  and to providing subscribers with the opportunity to closely interact with their most loved icons whether footballers, tennis players, or other sports personalities. Viber always creates delightful and memorable experiences for its users.

So, don’t miss out on yet another incredible experience on your favorite messaging platform this season as Viber celebrates South Asia’s most followed and popular sport – Cricket –  with its very own Cricket Vibes Channel on Viber, a special chat show, and more as you’re in for a real treat with a range of exclusive experiences.

 



 

 

 


January 4, 2022
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5min




 

Rakuten Viber, a global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, has released the results of an analysis of Viber Lens use since the feature was launched in partnership with Snap in June 2021 and rolled out to major markets over several months. Since the first wave of the launch, more than 7.3 million users have put the Lenses to use for media such as pictures, videos, or GIFs. More than 5.6 million users generated more than 51.8 million captures in the app.

According to the data, women are more likely to augment their reality using the AR Lenses, with females making up 46% of Viber’s monthly active users (MAUs) and representing 56% of Lens users. Females are also more likely than males to capture and send media: 59% of females using Lenses will capture media and 30% of those will send it, while 55% of males using Lenses will capture media and 27% of those will send it.

Which Lenses stood out as most used? According to the data, “Cartoon Face” — which overlays big, googly eyes and a long tongue on an image — was the most popular Lens. Fashion magazines touted red hair as the color trend for 2021, and the trend spilled over into AR filters, as “Red Head” — a Lens that gives a user long, red hair — was the second most popular Lens on Viber. Coming in at third place was the “Halloween Elements” Lens, which puts a ghoulish mask on the user’s face. The Tiger Lens created through a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was also highly popular, and in some regions, endangered animal Lenses resulted in a donation to the WWF.

The findings showed that it’s not just the youngest age group that enjoys using AR filters for messages. The 30-40 age group formed the largest segment of Lens users (23%), followed closely by users in the 40-60 age group (18%). Users under 17 years old represented 13% of Lens users.

“During a tough year, when many people continued to keep in-person contact to a minimum due to the pandemic, Viber stepped in to make their digital communications more lively,” says Anna Znamenskaya, Chief Growth Officer at Rakuten Viber. “People are looking for fun ways to stay in touch with each other, whether it’s sending a friend a greeting while using a Lens that makes them look like a tiger or by visually showing their support for the brands they love.”

About Rakuten Viber

Rakuten Viber connects people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. The global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. Viber’s messaging app is built with privacy in mind. With end-to-end encryption by default, disappearing messages, hidden number chats, and the ability to edit and delete messages for all, users can be sure that their communications remain as private as they want them to be. Nothing users share can be used by Viber or third parties to target them with ads later. Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services. It is the official communication channel of FC Barcelona, and the official instant messaging and calling app partner of the Golden State Warriors.




 


October 27, 2021
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4min

 




 

 

Viber’s feature allows for customizable disappearing times, from 10 seconds to one day, as well as the ability to easily activate the disappearing function within a group chat; app disables forwarding, copying, or taking a screenshot when disappearing option is in use

Colombo, October 2021Rakuten Viber, a global leader in cross-platform messaging and voice-based communication that recently surpassed one billion Google Play downloads worldwide, is announcing the global rollout of disappearing message options for group chats within the Viber app, a feature that was previously available only for one-on-one chats.

When it comes to setting disappearing messages in a group chat, users will not need to go through a multi-step process to change the status for messages in the group. With Viber’s feature, members can easily toggle the feature on and off within the chat itself.

With the expanded functionality, Viber users can set messages in a group chat to disappear 10 seconds, one minute, one hour, or one day after being read, offering more options than with the disappearing message features of other apps. On devices using Android 6 or newer, Viber will completely disable forwarding, copying, or taking a screenshot of a message when the disappearing option is activated. For earlier versions of Android and all iOS users, group chat members will be automatically notified if any member takes a screenshot of a message set to disappear. The feature can be applied to any type of message, including photos and stickers

For example, if a group of people have been invited to a house party, the code to get in the gate can be sent in a group chat as a message set to disappear one minute after users have read the message.

Personal and group chats on Viber are end-to-end encrypted, so users can be sure that their communications are always private and secure. The disappearing message feature is another example of Viber’s commitment to offering a secure messaging app where users can be confident in the privacy of their conversations with individuals or groups.

“We’re excited to give Viber users the ultimate control when they’re sending private messages either to an individual or a group,” says Nadav Melnick, Vice President of Product for Rakuten Viber. “Privacy has long been a paramount concern for us, as evidenced by our unwavering adherence to end-to-end encryption. With this update, our commitment to privacy becomes even more personal for our users and the people they talk to most.”

 

 

 



 

 

 


September 13, 2021
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5min

 




 

 

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become the first bank in the country to launch a facility that enables the Bank’s account holders and non-customers alike to seamlessly enjoy real-time banking services delivered through an interactive artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot on Viber.

With the launch of this service, Viber users can benefit from uninterrupted banking services any day of the week, including on holidays, from wherever they are, the Bank said. ‘Bank with ComBank on Viber’ eliminates the need for customers to visit a Commercial Bank branch for basic banking services.

Commenting on this pioneering move to cater to Viber users in the country, Commercial Bank’s Managing Director Mr S. Renganathan said: “Sri Lanka is among the top five markets for Viber in the Asia Pacific region with over 15 million registered users. Offering banking services on this popular platform is a logical step for a technologically advanced bank that is focused on serving its customers with solutions that are relevant to the times. This is also another milestone in the Bank’s Social Network Banking operations.”

To begin using ‘Bank with ComBank on Viber’ interested parties first have to install the Viber app on their smartphones from the ‘App Store’ or ‘Google Play’ and search for the ‘Bank with ComBank on Viber’ bot. Account-holders can access a host of services including checking their account balances, viewing account history, and requesting a cheque book, while both customers and non-customers can ask for fixed deposit rates and foreign exchange rates, self-register with the ComBank Digital app, open a new account through the Flash Digital Bank Account, or even apply for Personal Loans, Home Loans, and Leasing facilities via ‘Bank with ComBank on Viber.’

David Tse, Senior Director, APAC, Rakuten Viber noted: “We are proud to be part of this unique milestone of partnering with Commercial Bank as the first bank in the country to launch seamless and secure banking facilities via Viber for its customers. As a pioneering local bank, Commercial Bank recognises that innovation is key to improving customer experiences, and through Viber they can provide an accessible, interactive channel for customers, reimagining customer service using technology.”

‘Bank with ComBank on Viber’ was introduced to encourage the Bank’s non-digital customers who are also Viber users to embrace digital banking through ComBank Digital, inspire potential customers with Viber to open ‘Flash’ Accounts, and to invite anyone to obtain hassle-free credit facilities from the Bank.

The ground-breaking service was launched by Commercial Bank in direct collaboration with Viber and with the support of hSenid Mobile – a pioneer in Telco API Management Platforms – that developed the Viber chatbot for the Bank.

Commercial Bank had previously launched a sticker series on the platform, enabling users to send messages with 24 different expressions. Some of these stickers and emoticons used banking-associated lingo in funny dispositions and situations, and could be readily inserted into day-to-day chats.

Viber is a calling and messaging app that connects people – no matter who they are, or where they’re from. Each month, hundreds of millions of people connect, for free, with their loved ones via messaging, high-quality voice and video calls, and more. All one-on-one Viber calls and personal chats, and all group chats are protected by built-in end-to-end encryption, so users can be sure that their conversations are always secure.

Sri Lanka’s first fully carbon-neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 11 years consecutively, Commercial Bank operates a network of 268 branches and 931 automated machines in Sri Lanka. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 


October 28, 2020
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6min

The app is expanding its services by offering a secure way to pay bills and more

Colombo, 28th October, 2020: On the eve of its decade anniversary, Rakuten Viber, owner of Viber, the world’s popular messaging platform announces its expansion into fintech with its Chatbot Payments marking a milestone in the company’s move towards a utility concept.

Ukraine will be the first market for the feature launch and Viber plans to scale it in other markets in 2021. This feature will soon be available for all users in Sri Lanka and the rest of the Asia Pacific region, as roll out plans are scheduled to be announced on a later date. Users will be able to use the platform for buying goods and services and pay with Google Pay or another native mobile wallet.

As messaging and social platforms grow and develop, users are beginning to express a demand for additional features that go beyond emojis, gifs, and video calls. Since early as 2017, 64 % of millennials have expressed interest in P2P transfer solutions in messaging apps. That number has grown since then with the pandemic having accelerated the need for solutions to do just about everything remotely.

 




 

 

With the company developing an end-to-end platform catering to all its users’ needs, it is underscored by impeccable privacy-preserving measures. Recognising this need Viber has announced its expansion into utilities and fintech with a digital payments debut emphasizing preserving user privacy.

Viber’s Chatbot Payments feature will enable users to purchase the products and services of the merchants securely and directly through their authorised chatbots. If the user’s bank support it, the user needs to add a credit or debit card to their smartphone wallet the payment option becomes available for any chatbot built on Viber’s native chatbot application programming interface (API).

On the merchant side, businesses seeking to accept payments simply connect to a payment service provider supporting this type of payments, create a chatbot on Viber, and enable payments on it.

Viber’s chatbot platform is: time-saving as the Chatbot Payments feature enables making the purchase with a few taps directly in Viber. It is all-encompassing with end users can now pay for the services they’ve been already managing via a chatbot (utility bills, deliveries, transportation, etc.). Secure as all confidential payment information is encrypted and not disclosed to chatbots, Viber, or any third party. It is good for business as the Chatbot Payments feature is an easy way for any small, medium, or large enterprises to have a channel on Viber with which to connect to their clients and collect payments and also scalable as quick time to market for any country where mobile wallets are available.

Viber is cooperating with trusted bot developers and payment service providers over the next few months to make this available. In addition to Ukraine, Viber plans to launch the Chatbot Payments feature in other markets early next year.

“We’re thrilled to move Viber beyond messaging and position ourselves on the global stage as an end-to-end platform that actually values its users as people, not ad targets. Privacy and Security are very important. That’s true not only in the transfer of information through messages, but in payments and other aspects of digital communications. We’re here to ensure users have access to a secure alternative to handle their payments,” said Djamel Agaoua, CEO of Rakuten Viber.

About Rakuten Viber:

At Rakuten Viber, we connect people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. Our global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. We ensure our users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions.

Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services. It is the official communication channel of FC Barcelona, and the official instant messaging and calling app partner of the Golden State Warriors.

Join Viber today and enjoy the world’s best communication experience.

 

 




 

 

 


October 20, 2020
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4min

Get your daily and weekly readings for free!

A horoscope avid fan or maybe just for fun, Viber’s Horoscope feature automatically gives you daily or weekly forecasts for a more smooth-flowing day ahead.

Colombo, 19th October 2020: The popular instant messaging platform Viber, launches its first-ever Horoscope Chatbot in Sri Lanka. The bot helps unveil the hidden influences of the stars and planets in your life and matches it with your personality to predict your daily and weekly astrological horoscope to set the tone for the week.

While checking your horoscope can usually cost you some money, the all-new chatbot from Viber allows you to receive predictions for free. As a bonus, the bot allows you to access your horoscope in your language of preference, whether Sinhala, English or Tamil.

Astrology plays an influential role especially in the lives of Sri Lankans who cast horoscopes at birth and consult it through an astrologer during important junctures in life such as marriage, new jobs or even to find out the auspicious time to leave the house in the morning.

The Horoscope bot from Viber offers a simple user experience for those interested in receiving brief daily and weekly readings for each of the 12 signs. It allows you to find out what your day will be made of, what you should expect in your relationships at home, and work so you can move forward throughout your day more intuitively. Automatically subscribe to the horoscope chatbot when you download Viber’s custom sticker pack to add some starry-fun to your conversations.

 

Commenting on this unique feature, Ofir Eyal, COO of Rakuten Viber, said “Our philosophy is to satisfy the varying needs of our growing users in Sri Lanka by introducing relevant features that interest them. Therefore, we launched Horoscope Chatbot to add fun and entertainment in the life of our discerning users by making available astrology predictions through an intuitive yet simple bot.”

The chatbot is yet another innovative feature from Viber to the Sri Lankan market that provides its users with an enhanced experience and already has 132,000 subscribers. It has been created keeping in mind the particularly enthusiastic following in Sri Lanka who believe in astrology and its influential power in their daily lives.

About Rakuten Viber:

At Rakuten Viber, we connect people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. Our global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. We ensure our users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions.

Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services. It is the official communication channel of FC Barcelona, and the official instant messaging and calling app partner of the Golden State Warriors.

Join Viber today and enjoy the world’s best communication experience.

For further inquiries, contact us at lana@viber.com.



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Lanka Business News is amongst the leading online Business News portals in Sri Lanka, unique for its focus on contemporary business news relevant across multiple industries operating in the country. We present not only the news, but a perspective based on observations and possible implications of a prevailing news item. LBN also provides an insight to the impact of a global economic or industrial development, thus helping stakeholders make informed and calculated decisions.




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