MTN has launched an application that allows its mobile clients free browsing on the new mobile social networking website referred to as ‘0.facebook.com’.

Officials at Nyarutarama said on Tuesday that ‘0.facebook.com’ is a lightweight site optimized for speed and that the company’s standard data charges do not apply for browsing it.

"By sponsoring ‘0.facebook.com’ MTN is enabling their customers to stay connected through Facebook with their friends and family from any mobile Web browser without incurring any data charges,” a statement from MTN said.

Facebook is a social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Since September 2006, anyone who confirms themselves to be over the age of 13 with a valid e-mail address can become a Facebook user. Facebook currently has more than 400 million active users worldwide.

According to MTN’s Senior Manager Sales and Marketing executive, "Facebook has become a part of our lives. Through it, we can stay connected to our loved ones and contacts in a way that enhances the way we usually communicate.”

”It eliminates boundaries and time zones, putting all its users in one room at all times. With the launch of ‘0.facebook.com’, we are enabling our customers to make those very important connections free of charge everyday all day at no cost,” she added.

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.’

Officials said the site does not have graphics or photos. It’s pages have been designed for performance on MTN’s network. 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.’
MTN says that, "standard data charges will apply when a person leaves ‘0.facebook.com’ to view photos.
Makolo added that MTN chose to partner with Facebook on this product as a response to the overwhelming demand for Facebook by its customers.
"Facebook is the number one visited site on the MTN network, and therefore we saw the need to give our customers access to ‘0.facebook.com’ to ensure that whatever the situation, they can always stay connected,” she said.
”We’ve tested the product extensively before bringing it to market, and are confident that our customers will enjoy their experience using it,” she added.
On the launch of ‘0.facebook.com’ in Rwanda Henri Moissinac, the Head of Mobile Business said, "We are always looking to work with innovative companies to provide simple and fast mobile access to Facebook across the world. Rwanda is no exception, and thanks to our collaboration with MTN, they will now be able to access Facebook for free through 0.facebook.com.”
MTN currently boasts of over 1.7 million subscribers and its network coverage has been extends to over 90 percent of the country.

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