MySpace, the world’s most popular social network, and Sprint (News - Alert) have entered into mobile web partnership that would make it easy for Sprint phone customers to link to a free version of the online social network.

MySpace (News - Alert), a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is one of the premier lifestyle portals for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world.

By integrating Web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities, and member forums, MySpace has created a connected community.

Sprint would be the first U.S. wireless carrier to link to the free MySpace Mobile Web site once it officially launches in early 2008.

Easy to use, the customers will not have to type a URL address, but instead will be able to click to access it from the Sprint portal.

In addition to the new MySpace Mobile, Sprint customers will also be able to directly link to other leading mobile Web sites from Fox Interactive Media (FIM), including IGN, FOXSports.com on MSN.

“Launching mobile versions of MySpace and our other FIM sites in September was a huge step forward for our mobile efforts, and we’re excited to join with our long-time partners at Sprint to take mobile Web access to the next level,” said Peter Levinsohn, president of Fox Interactive Media, in a press release. “With prominent placement on the Sprint mobile Web home page, customers will have immediate and easy-to-find access to our network of sites on Sprint phones.”

"Sprint has been a leader in providing customers with open access to the mobile Web on their phones, and MySpace and other Fox sites are the latest example of that,” added John Burris, vice president of wireless data content. “By providing a direct link to these sites, we’re making it even easier for customers to use their phones to access their MySpace accounts and other online services that are important to them, whenever and wherever they want.”

“Our partnership empowers Sprint data subscribers with easy access to their MySpace community at no additional charge,” said Amit Kapur, VP of business development for MySpace. “We’re also in the process of redesigning the mobile site to provide an updated look and feel and enhanced functionality.”

Since 2002 Sprint and FOX have partnered on mobile content distribution, when Sprint first began syndicating sports news and scores from FOXSports.com.

Sprint Nextel (News - Alert) offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users.

Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 54 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone.

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Anil Sharma is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

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