MANILA, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 – Top social networking site Facebook is partnering with more than 18 operators in 14 countries to offer subscribers free or discounted data access to Messenger for Android, iOs and JAVA in the coming months.
Facebook is tapping Smart Communications to be its exclusive partner in the Philippines. Announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, several operators from other countries were also named. These include TMN in Portugal, Three in Ireland, Airtel and Reliance in India, Vivacom in Bulgaria, Backcell in Azerbaydzhan, Indosat, Smartfren, AXIS and XL Axiata in Indonesia, DiGi in Malaysia, DTAC in Thailand, Viva in Bahrain, STC in Saudi Arabia, Oi in Brazil, Etisalat in Egypt, and Tre in Italy.
"We’re excited with this partnership as it’s in line with our goal of making access to messaging and other mobile Internet services accessible to more Filipinos. We’re sure that this is something that our subscribers are looking forward to," said Orlando Vea, chief wireless advisor of Smart Communications.
Facebook rolled out a separate Messenger app towards the end of 2012, allowing mobile phone users to sign up with a phone number. The app allows text and video communication, and does not require a Facebook account.
Smart is already offering a free, unlimited Facebook service to its subscribers through the Facebook Mobile app.
