South African mobile network Vodacom has launched two mobile social networking services. The first product Meep is a real-time mobile instant messaging service. It allows the usual messaging between users, as well as the ability to set up private group chats and to show a member’s availability. Users can also chat with non-Meep members, which is done through SMS. The service also works between PCs and mobile phones, and between other networks with whom Vodacom has interworking agreements. The service is free until the end of January.

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The second service, TheGrid, is being billed as a location-based social network service. TheGrid, once loaded onto a handset, uses network-positioning systems to map the location of the user’s cellphone. Users who sign in to the service can find friends in their immediate vicinity and start up a chat, or through its blogging service leave each other notes, share photos and video clips. TheGrid is currently in beta and is built on an open platform to allow users to link to internet IM services such as Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) Messenger. (release)