The instant messaging market is emerging as corporate battleground with companies enhancing their messaging services to try to secure a larger part of the market. Until now, the instant messaging market has been led by Microsoft's MSN Messenger, but such local competitors as Daum Communications, Dreamwiz and Buddybuddy are fighting to woo subscribers with more usable applications and attractive user interfaces.

Multinational service providers such as America Online's ICQ and Yahoo! are also joining the battle by incorporating their instant messaging services with other applications including e-mail, online shopping and search engines.

With its simplicity and convenience, the use of instant messaging services is spreading rapidly. According to a report released by technology research house Softbank Research, some 19 million users regularly access instant messaging services once a week.

Read More
News Source