Singtel unveiled a free OTT comms app – available on Google Play and Apple App store – and also announced what it called a sharpening of its digital strategy with a new three-way focus on digital marketing, regional premium OTT video and advanced analytics.

The ad-free comms app, dubbed Wavee – which Singtel claims is the first of its kind to be launched by a mobile operator in Southeast Asia – allows unlimited voice calls (as long as users are on a data or Wi-Fi connection), video calls and a range of messaging features.

“People are looking for richer, more seamless and personal ways of communicating,” said Johan Buse, Singtel’s VP for consumer marketing. “With Wavee, we are giving our customers a holistic, end-to-end service.”

To promote the app, all local data charges for Wavee usage on Singtel prepaid and postpaid lines are to be waived until 9 July.

Initially, both the caller and receiver must have the app to enjoy free calls, which can be placed via Wi-Fi or 3G/4G networks.

A new feature available in the second half of 2015, however, will allow calls from Wavee to any local number.

New digital focus
Following a review of its digital strategy, Singtel said it would now focus on “three key businesses in digital life”: digital marketing (Amobee), regional premium video (HOOQ) and advanced analytics and intelligence capabilities (DataSpark).

“We will double our efforts to build Amobee, HOOQ and DataSpark to become significant players,” declared Chua Sock Koong, group CEO.

Singtel also intends to strengthen Innov8, its corporate venture capital fund targeted at digital investments.

The Singaporean incumbent also announced some management changes.

Lim Cheng Cheng, currently deputy group CFO, will be appointed group CFO. Lim will be responsible for all finance related functions.

Jeann Low, currently the group CFO, will take on the role of group chief corporate officer. Low will oversee the group’s corporate functions which include strategy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate communications, legal, regulatory and procurement.

Samba Natarajan, currently the managing director of digital enterprise, will be appointed CEO group digital life. He will be responsible for the group’s digital portfolio, including Amobee, HOOQ, DataSpark and Innov8.

Jonathan Auerbach, currently CEO group digital life, will relinquish his executive role but remains associated with the group as chairman of HOOQ and director of Amobee.