Facebook launches mobile text-only site

Available today with more than 50 mobile operators in 45 countries and territories

Facebook yesterday launched a new way for users to access the social network from mobile devices, at 0.facebook.com.

0.facebook.com is a fast and free service designed specifically for users who either can't afford the data plans necessary to run the mobile Facebook site or for those who find the regular mobile site just too slow. Text-only, 0.facebook.com includes most everything from m.facebook.com: users can update their status, view their News Feed, like or comment on posts, send and reply to messages, or write on their friends' wall. While photos won't be immediately visible (to save on bandwidth), users can click through to see them (normal data costs will apply).

Probably the coolest thing about 0.facebook.com is that Facebook has collaborated with mobile partners to make it completely free for users (except for when accessing photos).

The service is launching with over 50 mobile operators in 45 countries and territories, like Claro in Nicaragua, Vodafone and WIND in Greece, and Vodafone in Turkey.

Facebook is one tech company that cannot be charged with ignoring the increasing move to mobile. Over 100 million people actively use the social site on mobile devices through more than 200 mobile operators in more than 80 countries. Besides 0.facebook.com and m.facebook.com (the original mobile Facebook site), users with touchscreen phones can also access the site through touch.facebook.com. On top all of these niche sites, Facebook also develops apps for most of the common smartphone devices.

Today's update guarantees that even more users will find themselves accessing the social network on-the-go.

For a full list of current and upcoming operators and countries where 0.facebook.com is available, see the announcement.