Whatsapp to rival Skype and Facetime with new video call feature

Facebook-owned messaging service Whatsapp has launched a highly-anticipated feature which enables users to make video calls, signalling its intent to compete with the likes of Skype and Apple's FaceTime.

The update to the app was introduced on Tuesday to Whatsapp's billion monthly users, who in the last year were only able to coordinate voice calls with their contacts.

Video calling has been months in the process for Whatsapp, as it aims to solidify its position as the premier communications app. The feature will be available across all operating systems on Android or iPhone devices.

The news was announced in a press release from the company on Tuesday.

"Today we're excited to announce the next step in our efforts to connect people – WhatsApp video calling," the statement read.

"We're introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren't enough. There's no substitute for watching your grandchild take her first steps, or seeing your daughter’s face while she's studying abroad."

Skype and FaceTime are currently the kings of such technology, but with Whatsapp so widely-used already, this further addition to its armoury could haemorrhage users away from both.

Facebook purchased Whatsapp for $19bn in 2014, eliminating a competitor for its own Messenger app, and firmly establishing itself as the key player in the messaging app industry.