UK kids to get free calls and texts in return for ads

No sir, I don't believe you are 16

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Mobile, 26th March 2007 15:11 GMT

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A mobile phone start-up will offer UK teenagers free phone calls and texts in return for listening to adverts from this summer.

Blyk, the company behind the scheme, has already signed Buena Vista, Coca-Cola, L'Oreal Paris, and Yell.com for the British launch. It is rumoured to be close to a network deal with Orange.

The company will target 16 to 24 year olds, who will "earn" free phone calls and text messages in exchange for receiving adverts on their phones.

A spokesman for Blyk couldn't tell us much more than that.

Pronounced "blick", the firm was co-founded by Pekka Ala-Pietla, who was president of Nokia from 1999 to 2005. The company is backed by private investors and Sofinnova Ventures.

The Reg is glad the last remaining teenager on the bus home who doesn't have a phone will now also be entertaining us with adverts as well as ringtones. ®

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