Developing Telecoms | Facebook-integrated phones making friends in emerging markets

22 May 2012

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Facebook-integrated phones making friends in emerging markets

Thursday, 17 November 2011 12:12 | James Barton

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The telecom giant Orange is launching a new range of affordable devices featuring social networking integration. The handsets will be available in over 15 countries, including many emerging markets, and will cost under €100 (US$135).

The range consists of three phones that make it easy for customers to post and tag photos, comment on a friend’s wall and sync Facebook friends to their address book. The phones are the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH 585F, ONE TOUCH 813F, and ONE TOUCH 908F, and Android-based smartphone.

The devices are launching from Q4 2011 across Africa and Europe, and feature deep Facebook integration. In terms of emerging markets, the range is currently scheduled to launch in Armenia, Botswana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldova, Niger, Poland, Reunion, Romania, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda.

Social networking capabilities are integrated in all aspects of the phones, from the camera to contacts with the dedicated ‘F’ key allowing instant uploading and interaction. Subscribers to Orange can also purchase the handsets with affordable bundles and tariffs that include unlimited Facebook access without extra data charges.

“The rise of the smartphone and the explosion of social networks have completely changed how people keep in touch and share content. Until now many consumers across Africa and Europe have not had access to a phone that offers deep Facebook integration at an affordable price,” said Yves Maitre, Senior Vice President of Mobile Multimedia and Devices, Orange.

“Orange and Facebook have a common goal of providing mobile social access to people throughout Europe and Africa,” said Henri Moissinac, Head of Mobile Business at Facebook. “These phones and our ongoing collaboration with Orange will offer an opportunity for people to easily connect and share with their friends on Facebook anytime, anywhere and, for some, experience the mobile web for the first time.”

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