Camp Mobile, a mobile service subsidiary of Web-portal operator Naver, said Wednesday that the number of downloads of the firm’s social networking service Band had surpassed 50 million worldwide as of Sept. 22.

Launched in August 2012, the invite-only mobile app has permeated around 180 global markets with its number of monthly active users standing at 18 million, and has recently gained traction in Taiwan and India.

The number of new subscribers from Taiwan and India accounted for 8.6 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively, during the past three months, and Camp Mobile saw the SNS grow 370 percent and 1,422 percent year-on-year in August in the respective markets in terms of the number of downloads.

In Taiwan, in particular, users discuss and share information about their hobbies, day-to-day lives, and tips to learn foreign languages on the mobile communication platform.

With the introduction of an open community group service which allows anyone to create and join Band groups, the mobile app is attracting more diverse types of users around the world, according to the Korean firm. 

“The 50 million download figure indicates Band can now be dubbed as a global service,” said Camp Mobile chief executive Lee Ram, adding that the company would put more focus on improving user experience to appeal to global users.

By Kim Young-won  (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)