T-Mobile will be providing free wireless access to Facebook for its GoSmart Mobile prepaid service users. Such an arrangement is a first of its kind the U.S. as Americans will now be able to get free Facebook access even if they don't have a mobile data plan.
Starting in January, GoSmart Mobile users will get free access to Facebook's social network and instant-messaging service, regardless of the mobile plans that they choose. GoSmart Mobile is a lesser-known, low-cost prepaid service from T-Mobile US.
The terms of the deal were not yet disclosed; however The Wall Street Journal reported that it wasn't Facebook that was covering the cost of the data.
The initiative by T-Mobile is aimed at bringing the casual customers to the mainstream.
The plans at GoSmart Mobile start at $25 for unlimited talk, $30 for unlimited talk and text, and for $35, users can enjoy unlimited talk, text and data. After opting for $45 plan, users get unlimited talk, text and 5GB of 3G data.
The arrangement has come amid growing complaints regarding the data prices and plans offered by the U.S. carriers. AT&T and Verizon have already stopped offering unlimited data plans to its customers.
"Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected, and we're delighted that GoSmart subscribers, many who don't have data access, will be able to use Facebook for free," said Chris Daniels, vice president of partnerships at Facebook.
