Now BSNL Subscribers Can Access Facebook On Mobile Without Internet

BSNL, a State-owned telecommunications company headquartered in Delhi, has launched a service wherein its mobile users will be able to access Facebook without any Internet connection. Customers will be charged Rs 4, Rs 10, and Rs 20 for BSNL's 3-day, weekly, and monthly plans, respectively.

The telecom firm has tied up with U2opia Mobile to provide Facebook access through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) in East and South zones immediately. The service will be later launched in West and North zones.

USSD technology can be used for prepaid call-back service, location-based content services, and menu-based information services. It is used by telecom operators to send alerts to their subscribers.

The public sector telecom company said the USSD technology enables users to access their Facebook accounts, view/post status messages, respond to friend requests, write on friends' walls, view birthday reminders, and send messages without any Internet connection.

BSNL director Anupam Shrivastava said, "Companies today are looking at enhancing the portfolio of offerings to voice and SMS customers, and we are really excited to offer Facebook on USSD, given the rising popularity of social media."