Facebook launches video calling for Messenger

Facebook has announced it's rolling out a new video calling function for its Messenger application, which enables users of the app to have face-to-face conversations as well as text communications.

To start a video call a user simply chooses the video icon in the top right corner of the screen from within an existing Messenger conversation.

"Video calling will expand Messenger's real-time communication features, enabling the more than 600 million people who use Messenger every month to reach others wherever they are, from anywhere. It's fast, reliable and high quality," wrote Stan Chudnovsky, Facebook Messenger head of product, and Param Reddy, Facebook engineering manager, in a blog post.

Video calling in Messenger is available for calls made from a mobile phone to another mobile phone, including when one person is on iOS and the other person is on an Android device.

Calls are free, but a user is charged for data when not using Wi-Fi.

This is the latest feature released for Messenger, following the ability to send money to friends, the launch of Messenger Platform, and the introduction of Businesses on Messenger, which is said to be coming soon.

Video calling in Messenger is launching today for people on iOS and Android in Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay.

Facebook says it will be rolling out to other regions and locales over the coming months.