Breaking news: Blyk goes live today

Posted by Alex on Sep 24, 2007 • (Comments)

Ewan is at the launch of ad-funded mobile network Blyk as we speak – and they’ve just announced they’re going live today!

Here’s what we know so far. First, you have to be aged between 16 and 24 and live in the UK. They’re offering 217 texts and 43 cross-network minutes free each month. Once you go past that, it’s 10p a text and 15p a minute. Pre-pay of course. In return for these freebies Blyk will send you up to six ads per day sent to your mobile via MMS.

Update: Here’s the full price list, gleaned from their website:

Calls: £0.15/min any UK mobile network or landline.
Calls to Blyk voicemail: £0.15/min
Calls to 0845 numbers: £0.15/min
Calls to 0870 numbers: £0.25/min
Calls to premium rate (070 and 09) numbers: £0.20-£2.00/min
Calls to foreign networks: see international price list
Text messages: £0.10 each to UK mobile network.
Texts to premium rate shortcodes: £0.10 each + price of the service
Texts to foreign networks: £0.10
Picture messages (MMS): £0.20 each
Picture messages (MMS) to foreign networks: Not supported
Browsing the Blyk mobile portal: Free
Browsing other web content: £1.00/MBThere’s no roaming, which is a bit of a pain – but hopefully this will change.

That’s about it so far, more information when Ewan gets back from the launch event.

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ian

I got my free invite code here http://www.blykcode.com

kiran

can some give an invite code for blyk please

shez

Ok.. so this BLYK sounds really good.. for someone like me who is only 22.. but anyone got any invite code? =)

Alex

"Wow. You're keen. Invites from FRESH aren't being sent out yet, but Blyk has your number and will make sure you're one of the first to get one."

The suspense is killing me.

HeavyLight

That's a much better offering than I was expecting -- wonder how sustainable it'll prove...

I'll be checking out Blyk's stall at a students' freshers fair on Thursday (that, I hasten to add, I'll be working at!) and will report back anything interesting. (Find Blyk in your area)

How many invites do you reckon this 40something will be able to blag?
:)

Ewan

And Stu, I was wondering about the sim card too

Ewan

Very perceptive, Njar... I was going to sit down and try working it out!

njar

anyone noticed their code is 8BLYK?

Stu

I thought we all got a free SIM at the launch, but it's a blank :o(

Ewan

Dan -- I thought that too when I first saw the invite keyword 'fresh'

Lu

This is brill! I was wondering if Blyk would ever happen at all! Now I just need to get my hands on a invite!

Mark

blyk's office address is the same office as Dragon Den's Peter Jones's company Phones International...

Dan Lane

So... to get an invite you send an SMS saying "FRESH" to 82595

Did nobody at Blyk even bother to look into the UK market? didn't they realise that Carphone Warehouse has a dismal MVNO called FRESH. Did someone there think it would be fun to associate themselves with that failed effort?

Can I get a SIM if I send "VODAFONE" to 82595?

Alex

@Ewan: says a quid on their website. That's for external content - stuff on their own portal is free.

Ewan

Data usage is £0.99 per meg...

Alex

AFAIK it's MVNO'd on Orange, so as long as you have an unlocked handset, or it's locked to Orange, it might just work.

Of course if you're over 24, you're out of luck. Which makes most of us here, really - except for Whatleydude, who is harbouring a very dark secret on how he managed to get so far in this industry but is still only 18 ;)

Dan Lane

...also, what about data usage? don't they know that "texting" isn't enough for kids these days... they are all about data with their MSNing and their MySpacing and all the other noun verbing things they do when they aren't shooting each other.

Dan Lane

Their SSL certificate is broken and I appear to be too old :(

njar

WhatleyDude - tell me you aren't as young as 24?

James Whatley

I want an invite...

(and dammit - I was supposed to go to this today - completely and utterly forgot - DAMMIT!)

Dave

Plus they really need to fix the certificate issue on their website. grrrr

Dave

Yes I know I can shop for one, but that rather defeats the purpose.... :)

Dave

And thus my point. I would be happy to jump to the service, but I am not going to pay my existing contract (or pay it off) and buy a sub standard mobile to get a few free texts.

My point really is that this service is aimed at people like me, but yet I differ from what the "market" is. Rather a conundrum really. And with 12 month free contract phones (search google) where you get everything free including a new handset, it seems that Blyk could help to raise awareness of such deals and lose out.

Of course, they could roll out some "free handsets" which are covered by some initial advertising etc, especially as we can get disposable handsets these days. If they can tag those on after the early adopters then they could see more traction.

They will have thought things like this through far more than I. And I really hope they become a huge success... but unless they build brand awareness it will fizzle out after their few months of press "buzz" and that would be a real shame.

Ewan

Ahh, you can also shop for handsets at the Blyk Shop Dave -- here.

Ewan

That's an interesting question about what handset you should use, Dave -- 3UK's handsets are all totally locked; but if you can find a handset from another mobile operator, it may be possible to unlock it.

Dave

AMAZING NEWS!!!

Few points thought...

1) Their logo reminds me of the new Olympics one ;)
2) I think the service offering is amazing
3) What am I supposed to do? I am with 3 at the moment. And the phone is locked :(

Not had a good look around their site yet, but I hope that at least the welcome pack makes it clear that your phone needs to be unlocked???

Or do they have a deal with all the networks to steel their customers and allow the sims? :)

Dave
http://www.popsofa.com

Alex Kinch