On June 1st, Canadian tech giant BlackBerry launched a beta period of video calling through its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) platform in Costa Rica and across 26 countries in Latin America.

According to an official blog post published by BlackBerry, video calling is almost ready for primetime; it was launched as a beta feature for Android and iOS, as part of the latest version of BBM. BlackBerry users in Latin America were the first to notice this upgrade. Users in the United States and Canada may have to update their BBM app.

At this time, BlackBerry is monitoring performance and gathering feedback on the BBM video calling feature as it is enjoyed by users in Costa Rica, Latin America and the Middle East.

During the beta period, BBM users enjoy cross-platform video calling with each other.
There’s no sign-up or approval required to use the feature. When you tap the icon to initiate a call with one of your BBM contacts, BBM will ask whether you want to make a voice call or try a video call with the beta feature (provided your contact is also eligible to participate).

Minimum requirements:

• Android: OS 4.4 (KitKat) and higher
• iOS: iOS 8 and higher

Transformative technology

BBM users are on-trend in their enthusiasm for video calling. A recent Pew Research study shows that in the U.S., the number of adults making video calls from their smartphones rose by double-digits from 33% in 2013 to 47% in 2015.

What’s driving the enthusiasm? Simple: mobile video conferencing is now a reality. Globally, mobile bandwidth is increasing with the rollout of 4G networks, and devices now have the cameras, software and power that make it possible. Sure, there are some scenarios where good, old-fashioned voice is the better solution. But increasingly, video is taking over as our no. 1 communication technology.

Video is the closest thing to being physically present. We know why that’s more important for personal calls—bridging the distance with our loved ones, like helping grandparents see their grandkids grow. In healthcare, doctors are using video calling to collaborate across distances and save lives.

In business, live video helps people put faces to names, virtually meet job candidates, make decisions in real time, and save tremendously on travel expenses. A 2013 Redshift Research study sponsored by Polycom revealed 96% of business decision makers thought that video conferencing removed distance barriers, improving productivity among teams spread across different locations.