Encrypted messaging platform Telegram has announced paid subscription on its platform that is likely to cost around $5 (about Rs 400) a month.
The company said that it now has over 700 million monthly active users (MAUs) and has become one of the top-five downloaded apps worldwide this year.
"This growth is solely from personal recommendations. Telegram has never paid to advertise its apps," the company said in a statement late on Sunday.
"We're launching 'Premium Telegram Premium', a subscription that lets you support Telegram's continued development and gives you access to exclusive additional features," it added.
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By subscribing to Telegram Premium, users will unlock doubled limits, 4 GB file uploads, faster downloads, exclusive stickers and reactions, improved chat management and more.
Moreover, non-premium users will be able to enjoy some of Premium's benefits, like download the extra-large documents and view stickers sent by premium users, as well as tap to increase counters on premium reactions that were already added to a message.
"The contributions of premium subscribers will help improve and expand the app for decades to come, while Telegram will remain free, independent and uphold its users-first values, redefining how a tech company should operate," said the company that directly competes with WhatsApp and Signal.
Any user can upload large files and media, each up to 2 GB in size and enjoy unlimited storage in the Telegram Cloud for free.
"With Telegram Premium, subscribers will now be able to send 4 GB files, enough space for 4 hours of 1080p video, or 18 days of high-quality audio," said the company.
Premium subscribers are able to download media and files at the fastest possible speed.
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"With Premium, you can follow up to 1,000 channels, create up to 20 chat folders with up to 200 chats each, add a fourth account to any Telegram app, pin 10 chats in the main list and save up to 10 favourite stickers," the company announced.
The premium users can also write a longer bio and include a link in it.
Similarly, Premium allows adding more characters to media captions.
