Singapore-based mobile technology startup, U2opia Mobile, rolled out its flagship offering, Facebook for USSD, with MTN Nigeria earlier this month. The service enables mobile users to access Facebook on any mobile phone, without an active Internet or data connection.
Within a period of just 10 days, the service has acquired over 100,000 users, with daily additions continuing at a very fast clip. The launch of the service with MTN Nigeria takes U2opia Mobile’s African footprint to nearly 100 per cent, with 8 out of 10 users in African nations accessing Facebook through Facebook for USSD.
The instant success of Facebook for USSD is testimony to Facebook’s immense popularity in developing markets like Nigeriaand the relevance of a solution that enables users to access it on basic and feature phones, without the need for an Internet connection.
Facebook for USSD enables users to access their Facebook accounts, view/post status messages, respond to friend requests, write on friends’ walls as well as view birthday reminders and send messages.
Mr. Sumesh Menon, CEO, U2opia Mobile added, “At a time when the largest Internet companies are trying to address the issue of reaching users sitting outside the ambit of mobile data connectivity, the instant success of Facebook for USSD in markets likeNigeria proves that there is massive demand here, waiting to be tapped with the right innovative technology. The solutions that work need to be simple, inexpensive and made-for-mobile.”
Developed by U2opia Mobile in partnership with Facebook, Facebook for USSD currently has over 11 million users across 30 countries, accessing Facebook in 7 international languages. The product reaches the end user through their mobile carrier and U2opia Mobile partners with 42 of the world’s largest carrier groups to do this.
About U2opia Mobile
U2opia Mobile is a mobile technology company that enables ubiquitous and customised access to the social internet. U2opia Mobile recognizes a distinct opportunity in consumer networking and social mobility and collaborates with global internet giants and telecom carriers across the globe to create solutions of compelling value. Since its pioneering launch in May 2011, its flagship product, Facebook for USSD, powers Facebook access over USSD, serving millions of users and is one of the Top ranking Apps on Facebook. U2opia Mobile works with the largest and most innovative mobile operators in Asia, Africa & Latin America and is managed by an experienced team with deep understanding of consumer, internet and mobile ecosystems. With venture backing from Matrix Partners, U2opia Mobile runs operations from Singapore, Delhi, Dubai and San Francisco.
For details visit http://www.u2opiamobile.com.
