According to TechCrunch, French phone carrier Orange announced today it will team up with Facebook to offer “Party Call,” a “social calling” service, allowing friends to telephone one another without the need for phone numbers. Innovative telecommunications or opening the door to crank calls? The service will allow users to call one another from both Facebook mobile and desktop versions, and will also support group calls. An Orange spokesperson told TechCrunch the Facebook social calling service will first go live in France in the summer of 2013, followed by other European nations within the France Telecom footprint.

Because Party Call doesn’t rely on telephone numbers, however, it could ultimately become a global product and extend to markets beyond Orange’s footprint.

“By connecting its Party Call service to Facebook, Orange will be able to offer customers a truly personal experience,” a Facebook spokesperson told TechCrunch. “It is a great example of how companies can use Facebook’s open developer platform to make their products social. We are really happy that Facebook is transforming telecoms just as it has gaming, music, video and numerous other online services.”

Party Call will be available in free and premium versions. The premium option will offer customized voicemail, message transcription and the ability to call contacts who are not part of Orange’s IP-based calling and messaging app, Libon. Party Call premium service will be available for $11.13.

Orange announced its upcoming product at Hello, a Paris event held by France Telecom where the company showcased a variety of new developments.

Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

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