HYDERABAD: Social networking site Facebookis offering mobile talk time worth Rs 50 to new 'selective' users coming through referrals in India, a senior company official said.
Kevin
D'Souza, Country Growth Manager, Facebook, said the initiative has been
taken on a pilot basis and the amount of recharge varies from user to
user and place to place.
To
a query on whether this is for users who are coming through referrals,
he said: "Yes. It is for users coming through referrals."
"We
keep on trying new things. Because we do not know what will work. This
is one of the tests. Just to get a feel of it, this particular test is
being done in India," D'Souza said in a press conference.
"It
is currently evolving with multiple pricing strategies. Different
telecom carriers have different Facebook plans," he added, without
elaborating further.
According
to Facebook's mobile version talk time promotion page, after
registration a user has to provide his mobile number to get Rs 50 free
talktime and also the mobile number of the individual who may have
referred him/her.
"Once you sign up and confirm your account, you will receive the talktime within three days," Facebook said.
"Facebook
reserves the right to discontinue this service at any time without
notice. Talktime rewards earned before this service is discontinued will
be credited as appropriate," the company added.
To a query on Facebook access in Jammu and Kashmir, Kirthiga Reddy, Director - Online Operations, Facebook India refused to comment saying that the4 company always respects local laws.
"We
cannot comment on specific situation. But we will say that our approach
in such a situation is always to respect local laws," Reddy said.
Facebook makes sure that the content on the site is in accordance with terms and policies, she added.
Recently,
reports said the Jammu and Kashmir government had directed internet
service providers to block 'Youtube' and 'Facebook' if needed, to ensure
that a controversial film deemed offensive to Islam was not accessible
to subscribers in the state.
Reddy said the Facebook user base in India has grown to 65 million from barely eight million two years ago, making it a strong platform for marketers.
