Ad-funded mobile network Blyk goes live in the UK today, describing itself as the new mobile network for 16-24s. This is no idle marketing slogan. Being 16-24 years old is one of the stipulated requirements of joining the network, though customers who sign up and then inexplicably grow older will be allowed to stay on the network, the company says.
The company promises to link its customers up with brands you like. Blyk customers will receive up to six marketing messages per day on their phone from Blyk advertisers, including NatWest and McDonalds. In return Blyk offers 217 texts and 43 minutes of calls free, every month. Over and above this allowance, customers can buy extra texts at 10p each, or extra calls at 15p per minute. Browsing the Blyk mobile portal is free. Browsing other mobile web content is charged at 1 per megabyte.