Facebook Messenger Launches Group Calling on Phone

Facebook Messenger: Messenger’s goal as of late has been to replace your phone number. Last year it started allowing all Facebook users to chat with each other even if they aren’t friends, though strangers’ pings can sometimes be hidden in the Filtered Message Requests section under Settings -> People -> Message Requests -> See Filtered Requests. (If you don’t know about Filtered Requests, it’s worth checking out — I’ve found Facebook filtering to be too aggressive and hid some messages I wanted to see.)

Unlike phone numbers where you have little control once someone knows your digits, Messenger lets you easily block people, the ability to message you can’t be sold and, thanks to Facebook’s spam detection systems, it’s tough for someone to create a new Facebook account to harass you.

Now, Messenger could serve as a better replacement for Skype, and even let you set up easy conference calls with people whose numbers you don’t have. The more use cases Messenger can encompass, the less likely you are to stray to one of its competitors or its age-old foe: SMS.

Social media giant Facebook has launched their Group Calling feature on Messenger. Users can add 50 participants simultaneously over the Internet.Messenger’s latest feature is set to be rolled out globally over the next 24 hours on Android and iOS devices for free and users can start a group Voice over IP (VoIP) audio call from any group chat, TechCrunch.com reported.

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks such as the internet.“There are situations where typing is not enough and when people prefer talking to one another,” a Messenger spokesperson was quoted as saying.

To start a group call, a user needs to just tap the Phone icon, select which of the group chat members he or she wants to include and call. All the selected members will receive a Messenger call simultaneously.If one misses the initial call but the call is still in progress, the users can tap the Phone icon in the group chat to join the call.The user can also see who all are joined in the call and can add participants to the group conversation.