Keeping in trends with the company’s new focus to push uptake of mobile data services, Reliance Communications (RCom) today launched a new VAS, 0.facebook.com offering free access to Facebook to its subscribers i.e. without any data charges applicable for the access.

The 0.facebook.com site has been designed specially keeping in mind the issues of mobile subscribers. The site is lightweight version of Facebook’s mobile site, m.facebook.com. It does not have graphics and photos. However the service provides the user an option to view photos by clicking on a link to the photo which will take them to a new site outside o.facebook.com. In this case, standard data charges will apply.

“Facebook is a great social utility connecting people with their close network of friends and others. Indians have already embraced Facebook in a big way to keep up with friends, share photos and links and videos. We’re extremely delighted to announce that thanks to our collaboration with Facebook, millions of our subscribers will now be able to access Facebook for free through 0.facebook.com. We are happy to announce this offer to all of our GSM/RTL subscribers.” said Mr. Anil Pande, Head – VAS, Reliance Communications. “Reliance Communications has always endeavoured to offer more value and benefits of the latest technological advances to our customers at every opportunity. With this latest Facebook tool, we hope they will enjoy all the benefits of a more social, open world,” he added. Reliance Communications is offering free access (no mobile Internet data charges) 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.