Digital security company Gemalto has announced a new service called Facebook for SIM. It embeds Facebook in a SIM card, enabling mobile network operators to offer the service to customers without a data connection. Participating networks can offer the service free for a trial period before introducing a flat-rate subscription charge.
Facebook for SIM provides access to text-based features including friend requests, status updates, wall posts and messages. It uses SMS messaging via the SIM-embedded software, so no application download is required.
Philippe Vallée, Executive Vice President of Gemalto, said “Facebook for SIM enables operators to leverage two of their main assets: the SMS to communicate with the web application and the SIM for application distribution to the masses. Over 200 million people already use Facebook on handsets and those are twice as active as non-mobile users. By providing anytime, anywhere availability to the social network, Gemalto delivers on the growing demand for mobile connectivity all over the world.”