Vodafone Tests Facebook SMS Service
Vodafone UK has started trialling a service that enables all UK mobile users to send text messages from their Facebook profile to friends. The pilot service will be extended later this month to also include picture messages.
The "Vodafone Connect to Friends" service lets Facebook users send messages not only to their online Facebook friends but also to non-Facebook users and groups. Vodafone Connect to Friends can be used by anyone regardless of their choice of UK mobile operator.
Once people subscribe, Vodafone provides 25 free text credits to get customers started. Further messaging credits can be bought securely via the online payment system Pay4it.
Prepay customers will get any additional credits deducted straight away from their topup accounts. Contract customers will see additional credits on their monthly bill highlighted as "Vodafone Connect to Friends."
The cost of sending texts and picture messages via Vodafone Connect To Friends is set at 10p per text and 30p per picture message for the duration of the pilot. An added advantage of this service is that travellers can also text their friends from overseas at UK rates.
"With more than 20 million social network users the UK alone it is the perfect market in which to test a Vodafone service that allows all mobile users to send texts and picture messages via the Facebook experience," says Pieter Knook Vodafone Group Internet Services Director. "Through this partnership Vodafone aims to continue its commitment to provide easy access to communication services and communities by bringing the worlds of mobile and PC Internet together. This is a ground breaking social networking opportunity for all UK mobile users."
Posted to the site on 8th September 2008
