Facebook app to allow phone calls

Facebook users who have been instant messaging, poking, and friending each other are now able to use the social network to communicate via plain old voice phone calls -- with a service provided by Natick-based company Vivox Inc.

Vivox said yesterday that it was partnering with wireless service T-Mobile to offer users a free "voice chat" Facebook application. Using the service, called "Bobsled," users can now initiate phone calls with their Facebook friends with a click.

"This is a big move for Facebook because it adds voice to their platform," said Larry Hettick, an analyst at the technology firm Current Analysis, based in Sterling, Va. "It's as well significant for consumers, because it allows them to stay inside Facebook and use their friends list to make calls."

For Vivox, the deal with T-Mobile is one of their largest partnerships to date. Until now, Vivox's innovation, which is built on "voice over internet protocol," or VOIP, has been used primarily by a computer gamers that use it to talk to fellow gamers.

Rob Seaver, chief executive of Vivox, said that Vivox and other companies have experimented with enabling voice communications on Facebook, however yesterday's launch was "out and away the most seamless integration."

"Our vision has always been to make it easy for consumers," he said, "and this is a huge step towards a goal we've been driving towards: giving voice to social networking."

Computer-based phone services like Skype and Google Voice as well use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) innovation to connect computer users, however Bobsled integrates that functionality with users' existing list of Facebook friends.

The free Bobsled app

After downloading the free Bobsled app, Facebook users can make calls to recipients even if they don't as well have the app installed. The service, which requires that users' computers have either a microphone and speakers, or a headset, as well supports voicemails if the recipient doesn't pick up. Bobsled will in the end include enhancements like video chat, and the ability to call outside Facebook and connect with cell phones and landlines, according to the companies.

"This is more about adding functionality to Facebook to put it more exactly than cannibalizing other services," Hettick said. "This is not going to cause anyone to throw away his cell phone, or landline."

For T-Mobile, the deal represents an expansion of services beyond just cell phones. "T-Mobile is a communications provider, so we all about making it easy for people to talk wherever they are," said Brad Duea, senior vice president, T-Mobile USA. "With more than 500 million users on the Internet, Facebook is a natural platform for us."