Bebo today announced that it has extended the Bebo Open Mobile program to all major operators in Canada.
Officially launched in early February, Bebo Open Mobile is a global program for mobile operators, handset manufacturers and mobile software developers. The initiative offers Partners a suite of tools to support the delivery of the Bebo social networking experience to mobile users.
Sean Kane, Global Head of Mobile, Bebo, says: "Canada is now a growth market for Bebo mobile. Covering 96%* of the mobile market provides us the opportunity to help connect people with everyone and everything they care about."
Specifically, Bebo is today announcing deployment on Bell Mobility, Fido, Rogers Wireless and Virgin Mobile Canada of:
• Bebo Open Mobile Messaging: Customers of Canadian Bebo Open Mobile Partners can immediately receive Bebo alerts and updates on their mobile phones through the 2326 (BEBO) short code. Additionally, they can update their Bebo profiles, participate in special offers, send virtual goods and interact with friends through the short code.
Additionally, Bell Mobility and Virgin Mobile Canada have deployed:
• Bebo Open Mobile Internet: A mobile Internet platform with tailored navigation and a range of operator specific customization options.
As a result of these deployments, soft launched in late December, page views for the Bebo mobile site in Canada rose 43%** in January, according to internal data.
Bebo expects to make further announcements regarding Bebo Open Mobile Partners and initiatives throughout 2009.
ENDS
ABOUT BEBO
For more information on Bebo Open Mobile please go to: http://www.bebo.com/Press.jsp?PressPageId=8582820413
Bebo is a popular social media network. Building on the notion of traditional social networking Web sites, Bebo combines community, self-expression and entertainment to enable its users to consume, create, discover and share professional and user-generated content through the Bebo Web site. Bebo has more than 22 million*** unique visitors worldwide and on days they use Bebo, they spend an average of 25 minutes*** on the site.
Bebo forms part of AOL's newly created People Networks business unit which combines Bebo, the AIM (excluding AIM Mail) and ICQ personal communications networks, widget technology company Goowy Media, social search and answer service Yedda and social aggregation service Socialthing!, People Networks' collection of community platforms reaches 93 million**** unduplicated users worldwide. Bebo is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL LLC, a majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.