[Vodafone UK trials new service enabling Facebook users to send text and picture messages to anyone without having to switch from PC to mobile.]

London -- Vodafone UK is trialling a unique service that enables all UK mobile users to send text messages from their Facebook profile to friends. The pilot service will be extended later this month to also include picture messages.

Vodafone Connect to Friends lets Facebook users send texts and picture messages without having to switch from PC to mobile simply by installing the 'Vodafone Connect to Friends' application to their Facebook profile. The application allows users to send messages not only to their online Facebook friends but also to non-Facebook users and groups. Vodafone Connect to Friends can be used by anyone regardless of their choice of UK mobile operator.

Once people subscribe, Vodafone provides 25 free text credits to get customers started. Further messaging credits can be bought securely via the online payment system Pay4it.

Prepay customers will get any additional credits deducted straight away from their topup accounts. Contract customers will see additional credits on their monthly bill highlighted as "Vodafone Connect to Friends."

The cost of sending texts and picture messages via Vodafone Connect To Friends is set at 10p per text and 30p per picture message for the duration of the pilot. An added advantage of this service is that travellers can also text their friends from overseas at UK rates.

"With more than 20 million social network users the UK alone it is the perfect market in which to test a Vodafone service that allows all mobile users to send texts and picture messages via the Facebook experience," says Pieter Knook Vodafone Group Internet Services Director. "Through this partnership Vodafone aims to continue its commitment to provide easy access to communication services and communities by bringing the worlds of mobile and PC Internet together. This is a ground breaking social networking opportunity for all UK mobile users."

To access and try out the new application, please visit: http://apps.facebook.com/connecttofriends or http://www.vodafone.co.uk/connecttofriends

The service has been created in conjunction with the Value Creation Centre, a Vodafone joint innovation initiative with IBM, and the Vodafone Internet Services division at Vodafone UK.

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