China's instant messaging (IM) market had 463 million active accounts in the third quarter of 2008, rising 9% from Q2 2008 and 19% from July-September 2007, according to a report by technology, media and telecom (TMT) market researcher Analysys International.

Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK: 0700), China Mobile Ltd. (SEHK: 0941 and NYSE: CHL), and Microsoft, major IM service providers in the Chinese market, ranked the top three in terms of market shares.

Depending opportunities created by the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Tencent QQ had active accounts of 366.5 million. China Mobile's Fetion owned 26.5 million active accounts, leaping 47% from the prior quarter, and Microsoft's MSN had 18.70 million active accounts.

In addition, China Telecom Corporation Ltd. (NYSE: CHA and SEHK: 0728) also launched its IM software in Q3. Although having abundant Internet terminal users, the telcoms carrier still has difficulties to lure users because short messages are all charged.

Source:tradingmarkets