By Telecom Lead Team: France Telecom-Orange is
launching an innovative service using USSD technology in Orange Cote d’Ivoire.
The launch will make Facebook accessible on any phone
across.
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology
is a low-bandwidth data service that is accessible from even the most basic
phones, to create access to social networking.
With Facebook via USSD, Orange is providing mobile access
to the service to millions of customers in Africa. Facebook via USSD will allow
all Orange customers to access the service, regardless of the phone that they
are using.
With this technology, users with older or very basic
handsets without an internet connection or data plan will also be able to use
Facebook through a simple and affordable text-based service.
No special applications are required to use Facebook via
USSD. Customers only need to type a specific code into their phone to open a
Facebook via USSD session and enter a PIN code to access the service
securely.
The carrier launched this service at the end of 2011 for
Mobinil customers in Egypt, and over 350,000 customers have connected Facebook
via USSD in the first month.
We feel that it is our role to help our customers enjoy
a digitally rich, connected life, and services such as Facebook via USSD this
make that possible for even more of our customers.” said Xavier Perret, vice
president of Strategic Partnerships at Orange.
Last year, Orange
exclusively launched three new affordable phones with Facebook integration
across Africa and Europe.
With access to the widest range of phones with Facebook built-in under
EUR 100, including the new ALCATEL ONE TOUCH 908F Android smartphone, Orange
customers can select the phone best suited to their needs.
