Rakuten Viber will increase its group video calling capacity to 30 participants. — VNS Photo

Rakuten Viber is set to expand its group video calling capacity to 30 participants in response to growing demand and usage.

The update will come after the messaging app rolls out the Grid View on both desktop and mobile platforms.

The expanded group video call will soon be live both for Android and IOS devices.

"Viber is one of the most popular messaging apps in Viet Nam, and we are constantly working on different upgrades to our platform so we can better serve our Vietnamese users and support their communication needs,” Anna Znamenskaya, the company’s chief growth officer, said.

The feature is especially helpful for office workers who may need to invite more participants to a virtual meeting, educators who are looking for new ways to get in touch with their students and anyone who wants to converse with their friends, families and loved ones or build their communities while staying safe at home.

When the pandemic broke out in 2020 and forced most people to stay at home, Viber responded by doubling the maximum number of group video and audio call participants to 20 in anticipation of an increase in app usage.

A recent poll it conducted found 33 per cent of Vietnamese respondents saying they use group video calls for connecting with family, 33 per cent for work and 22 per cent for catching up with friends.

Others said they use the feature for online classes and virtual fitness sessions. — VNS