Facebook Throws a Bone to Mobile Users, Offers Free Access via Partnership with Wireless Operators

Posted 05/19/2010 at 12:11pm | by Paul Lilly

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Someone in Facebook's think-tank deserves a raise, because this latest idea is nothing short of brilliant. Helping users side step data charges that would normally occur from accessing the social networking site on the go, Facebook has gone and partnered with 50 wireless operators so that cell phone users can log in without being charged a cent.

"We are targeting people whose major barrier is they have little experience on the mobile Internet. They want to try it, they want something super simple, super fast. And they are potentially afraid of browsing costs," said Henri Moissinac, who heads Facebook's mobile business. "If you take an iPhone user in San Francisco, that's not his problem."

The way it works is users will direct their phone's browser to 0.facebook.com, which is a text-only version of Facebook. It's designed specifically for mobile phones working with limited bandwidth.

Unfortunately for those us in the States, Facebook doesn't have any domestic partnerships in place, though Henri Moissinac, the head honcho for Facebook's mobile business, says he hopes to eventually strike some deals. In the meantime, the new site is available in 40 different countries, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Turkey.