Now this is something to make social-networking-savvy Juans with shallow pockets happy. The king of affordable mobile services, Sun Cellular, has launched 0.facebook.com for those who want to access Facebook for free.
0.facebook.com is a scaled-down version of Facebook for mobile (m.facebook.com). The main difference is that the site is free and can be accessed via WAP. This leads to absolutely zero cost, as no data charges are incurred.
BUT (yes, there is a but. What did you expect?) 0.facebook.com is a text-only site. If you want the whole photo shebang, then you must be willing to shell out some money. Because if you want to, say, check out a friend's photo, clicking on a link means you're leaving the site. And leaving means you will be charged the standard rate of P10 per 30 minutes.
However plain and simple the site may be, we say that creating 0.facebook.com is still a pretty good move by Sun Cellular, especially with the gazillions of Pinoys who are already on Facebook. Good job.
Official press release
Sun Cellular launches 0.facebook.com, a free way to access Facebook on your mobile phone
0.facebook.com is lightweight and optimized for speed; Sun Cellular's standard data charges do not apply for site
MANILA, Philippines and PALO ALTO, Calif. – June 2010 – Sun Cellular announced the launch of 0.facebook.com. Sun Cellular is now offering their customers free mobile browsing on the new 0.facebook.com site. By sponsoring 0.facebook.com, Sun Cellular is enabling their customers to stay connected through Facebook with their friends and family from any mobile Web browser using WAP as an access point without incurring any data charges.[1]
Facebook's 0.facebook.com site is optimized for speed – it is a new faster, lightweight version of Facebook's mobile site m.facebook.com. The site does not have graphics or photos. Photos posted on Facebook are only one click away from 0.facebook.com. To view a photo, a person only needs to click on a link to the photo and they will be prompted that they are leaving 0.facebook.com. Standard data charges of P10/30 minutes will apply when a person leaves 0.facebook.com to view photos.
"The introduction of this new and exciting collaboration with Facebook is in line with Sun's continuing campaign to provide value added services to both our prepaid and postpaid subscribers who value the importance of constantly being in touch with family and friends all over the world through a social service. 0.facebook.com is consistent with our reputation and stature as the country's most progressive telecom network with pioneering offerings (such as the revolutionary 24/7 Call and Text Unlimited). It is true to Sun's promise of making connectivity all-day, all-night long available, without limits," said Mr. Francisco Araña III, Vice President for Product Development, International Services, Value Added Services and Innovations.
"We are always looking to work with innovative companies to provide simple and fast mobile access to Facebook across the world," said Henri Moissinac, Head of Mobile, Facebook. "Thanks to our collaboration with Sun Cellular, people will now be able to access Facebook for free through 0.facebook.com."
[1] Sun Cellular is offering free access (no mobile Internet data charges) via the WAP access point to the 0.facebook.com service to its subscribers for at least one full year. The length of the offer is at the discretion of the mobile operator.