Blyk MVNO Presentation and Podcast

Rating: Look twice, it’s better than expected

The hype surrounding Blyk is enormous, despite the fact that is hasn’t even launched. Many MVNOs have failed in the industry and the “free” model behind Blyk’s proposition is perceived with caution.

Needless to say, Blyk’s cofounder, Antii Ohrling’s (about.blyk.com), key note session at the Mobile Marketing and Advertising conference in Paris was jam packed. Antii spoke openly and honestly about the business model and Blyk’s vision. The company intends to launch Blyk in the UK first, mid 2007. It will target the 16 to 24 year old market.

Having been cautious ourselves about Blyk, we listened with great interest and were surprised by what we heard. Antii’s business model was backed by definitive examples and in depth research and market analysis has informed the business plan.

This research revealed that the target group’s three favourite phone functions are:

 voice
 text
 alarm clock.

No mention of the mobile Internet.

A podcast with Antii Ohrling is available here.

The full version of this article examining the premise behind an ad funded, free of charge mobile phone service to 16 to 24 year olds, will be available in the bumper 3GSM issue of The Mobile Search Analyst.

Related News:

1. Blyk Ad-Funded MVNO goes to smoke in the Netherlands
2. Can Blyk prove its 29% click through rate?
3. Blyk delayed?
4. Blyk Mobile Advertising discussion at Mobile Marketing Forum
5. Blyk announces further European expansion … Germany, Spain and Belgium to go live in 2009 …