Virgin Media joins Bebo Open Mobile program

AOL announced that U.K. mobile operator Virgin Media is the latest addition to global social media network Bebo's Open Mobile program, which promises the wireless industry a suite of tools to provide their customers more efficient access to social networking services. The program enables Bebo (acquired last year by AOL for $850 million) to collaborate with operators, handset makers and mobile software developers to promote, distribute and monetize mobile social media--according to Bebo, Open Mobile partners have access to over 50 million users.

Per terms of the Open Mobile partnership, Virgin Media and Bebo jointly announced the deployment of Bebo Open Mobile Internet, a customized version of the Bebo mobile site with Virgin Media navigation, support for mobile advertising and customized Virgin Media features. Virgin Media will also preload bookmarks and other Bebo services on its devices. In addition, the firms premiered Bebo Open Mobile Messaging, which offers Virgin Media customers alerts and updates through the 22326 (BEBO) short code. Bebo and Virgin Media add they are working to further embed the Bebo experience and content on Virgin devices.

For more on the Bebo/Virgin Media agreement:
- read this release

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