WeChat Italy, described as “the first European branch” of the popular Chinese messaging app, partnered with Italian start-up ChatSim in a deal intended to “spread the advantages of instant messaging”.

The collaboration, described as a first between an instant messaging app and an “instant messaging operator”, will initially promote services in Europe.

In a statement, the companies added they had “the ambitious goal to make instant messaging services more accessible around the planet and to win new market segments”.

ChatSim, which claims to be the world’s first “instant messaging mobile operator”, provides users with a SIM and charges a flat fee of €10 a year to chat on a number of different compatible instant messaging apps.

It was founded six months ago by Manuel Zanella, who said the platform is especially designed for travellers.

The companies said they plan to launch different communication campaigns through a range of social channels aimed at promoting the benefits of the service.

“ChatSim has created a ‘Find Friends’ service, a really precious tool especially for travellers, for those who are moving to a new city, or even for those on vacation in a tourist resort who wish to make new friends or to meet new people,” said Zanella. “When you are travelling abroad, nothing is more important than keeping in touch with loved ones or making new friends quickly and easily.”

As an additional service, ChatSim also offers users voice calls with other instant messaging applications.

WeChat, or Weixin as it’s known in its home market, was founded by Chinese internet company Tencent in 2011 and has more than 550 million mobile global active users, with more than 70 million outside China.

“The partnership with ChatSim is a great opportunity for us to promote the advantages of instant messaging with the first instant messaging mobile operator in the world,” added Andrea Ghizzoni, country director at WeChat Italy.