Orange is launching three new mobile handsets – the Alcatel One Touch 585f, 813f, and 908f – with deep Facebook integration, including a dedicated ‘F’ key, in Africa and Europe starting Q4 2011. Orange says the phones will provide “a swift, simple, cost effective social experience for more customers than ever before”. The Alcatel One Touch 908f will be priced at less than €100 (£86) and the handsets will be available with payment tariffs and bundles that include unlimited Facebook access without extra data charges.

“The rise of the smartphone and the explosion of social networks have completely changed how people keep in touch and share content. Until now many consumers across Africa and Europe have not had access to a phone that offers deep Facebook integration at an affordable price,” says Yves Maitre, senior vice president of mobile multimedia and devices at Orange. “We feel strongly that it is Orange’s role to enable customers to enjoy a digitally rich, connected life and this and future work with Facebook and Alcatel One Touch will allow us to open up mobile social media access to even more of our customers.”