Cellular7.11.2012

Vodacom’s The Grid shut down date

Vodacom red logo

Vodacom‘s mobile social network, The Grid, will be shutting down on 1 December 2012, according to SMSes sent out by the team behind it.

Vodacom had previously told BusinessTech that it was in the process of discontinuing the service and redeploying the platforms for other projects, where possible, but had not set a final switch-off date.

According to a user, Vodacom informed users of the planned termination date via SMS: “As of 1/12/2012 we’ll be discontinuing the service. Please log on and retrieve any contacts or details that you’d like to save. The Grid team.”

This was confirmed by other users of The Grid.

The Grid is a location-based mobile social network that allows users to chat to friends, see where they are on a map and share photos or videos with them. Users are also able to view photos and videos relevant to the area they are in.

The social network platform started up in 2007 alongside real-time, presence-based Instant Messaging (IM) service, Meep, and was fully funded and supported by Vodacom, which provided the infrastructure and resource support.

The Grid’s closure comes around the same time that one of Vodacom’s other investments in social media, Zoopy, missed it’s planned relaunch period.

Vodacom had no new information surrounding The Grid or Zoopy’s standings or future plans.

Grid shutdown

The Grid shutdown message

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