Menon's team at U2opia, which was founded in 2010, has fine-tuned USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) technology and is using it to allow anyone with a mobile phone to connect to Facebook. USSD is a service that is used by telecom operators to a connect the mobile phone users to telecom servers. It is ubiquitous and even if a user has a very basic phone and no data connection, he can use USSD to connect to Facebook.
It is also familiar to users. For example, when you check your remaining pre-paid balance in the phone using a code, you use the USSD technology.
"It is a 1G solution that works in a 3G world," Says Menon. "Affordable and reliable data connectivity is a rarity in a country like India. Even when people have phones that can use a data connection, they don't have access to a 3G network or cannot afford the expensive data plans. For these people, our solution provides a way to connect to Facebook."
The USSD-based access to Facebook is seamless and works well. In India, it is available to almost all mobile phone users, except those who are using network of BSNL. To access Facebook from a basic (or from a smartphone that has no data connection) a user has to first subscribe to the service by dialling *325#. Once the service is active, which happens within a few minutes, users can utilize the USSD menu to go through their timeline, check status updates, post status updates and check likes or comments on their posts. The service also allows access to Facebook Messenger and users can exchange messages with their friends.
There is no limit on how many times you can access Facebook or how many messages you can send to your friends on Facebook messenger. While different operators charge different price for the service, usually the price is around Re 1 per day, making it a cost-effective way to keep in touch with friends.
Status messages posted on Facebook timeline through the USSD go live on the website immediately.
It is also familiar to users. For example, when you check your remaining pre-paid balance in the phone using a code, you use the USSD technology.
"It is a 1G solution that works in a 3G world," Says Menon. "Affordable and reliable data connectivity is a rarity in a country like India. Even when people have phones that can use a data connection, they don't have access to a 3G network or cannot afford the expensive data plans. For these people, our solution provides a way to connect to Facebook."
The USSD-based access to Facebook is seamless and works well. In India, it is available to almost all mobile phone users, except those who are using network of BSNL. To access Facebook from a basic (or from a smartphone that has no data connection) a user has to first subscribe to the service by dialling *325#. Once the service is active, which happens within a few minutes, users can utilize the USSD menu to go through their timeline, check status updates, post status updates and check likes or comments on their posts. The service also allows access to Facebook Messenger and users can exchange messages with their friends.
There is no limit on how many times you can access Facebook or how many messages you can send to your friends on Facebook messenger. While different operators charge different price for the service, usually the price is around Re 1 per day, making it a cost-effective way to keep in touch with friends.
Status messages posted on Facebook timeline through the USSD go live on the website immediately.
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