The app presents a dashboard view of the user’s mobile contacts within Facebook, allowing them to communicate with these contacts using operator services such as SMS, IM and VoIP.

Users can also see their friends’ status and their location on a map, and can update their own status. Non-subscribers of the operator can also use the app to communicate with facebook friends who are subscribers.

It's further evidence of the strategic importance of social networks to the telco business, even if it means surrendering some mindshare to powerful new third party brands.

Colibria's Facebook Canvas Application has been shortlisted for the “Best RCS Innovation” award as part of the RCS DevChallenge within the GSMA Awards.

Keith Gibson, CEO of Colibria, said: “While operators do recognise that social network integration is important to the user, they also need to look at ways to harness the power of these sites for business. Apps are a great way to drive mobile usage, encourage customer loyalty and even win customers from the competition.”

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