Sprint Moves Into Social Networking

With the meteoric rise in popularity of social networking websites like mySpace, and especially Facebook, it seems like the move Sprint announced this week – plans to partner with ANTHEM and move into the social networking realm – was a smart one.

ANTHEM will allow Sprint’s cell phone customers mobile access to LiveJournal, Rabble, Vox and Xanga, where they will be able to view photos, send and receive messages, post comments and search profiles. The new service rolls out next week on select Sprint cell phones. We imagine a FaceBook app can’t be far behind.

Coupled with the revelation that Sprint and loopt are about to start working together, this kind of functionality points to the carrier’s commitment to social media. With the myriad of Internet-based options now available for your cell phone, it may be time for that data plan.