(9 February 2009 9:30 pm)

MUMBAI: AOL's online social network Bebo has announced the launch of Bebo Open Mobile.

The new global partnership programme will offer the mobile industry a suite of tools to provide their customers access to the Bebo social networking experience. Through the Bebo Open Mobile programme, Bebo will work with operators, handset manufacturers and mobile software developers to help them promote, distribute and monetise mobile social media.

Bebo global head of mobile Sean Kane says, "Bebo Open Mobile is a new way to expand the power of social networking to program members. The Bebo Open Mobile suite of tools is designed to move mobile communication and user relationships forward by delivering a simple and more ubiquitous experience to users."

Bebo Open Mobile packages the company's mobile services into a single integrated program for mobile industry partners. It offers members the tools to deliver the Bebo mobile social networking experience over mobile networks, on devices and through rich media.

Bebo announced the immediate availability of Bebo Open Mobile tools across the areas of mobile Internet, mobile messaging and software development.

• Bebo Open Mobile Internet: Bebo delivers partners the ability to rapidly deploy features on the Bebo mobile site including customized navigation, mobile advertising support and enhanced statistics.
• Bebo Open Mobile Messaging: The Mobile Messaging toolkit provides scalable and feature rich two-way messaging directly to Bebo Open Mobile partners through the messaging interfaces most used by Bebo members.
• Bebo Open Mobile Development API: Bebo also introduces a Mobile Development API toolkit to empower Bebo Open Mobile partners to create innovative applications, widgets and other interfaces to directly serve the Bebo community.