Blyk changes its tariff structure

Ad-funded MVNO Blyk has said it's changing its tariff structure next month. Gone is the free bundle of 217 texts and 43 minutes per month; instead the company will be giving its customers £15 of credit every month to spend on calls at 24p a minute or texts at 8p each. It means that customers can now send picture messages and use data as part of their allowance. [Source: Blyk.com; there's also in-depth commentary at MobileIndustryReview.com]

New UK CEO for Blyk

Antti Ohrling has been appointed as as UK CEO of virtual network Blyk following Shaun Gregory's resignation for personal reasons. Mr Ohrling is one of Blyk's co-founders and is currently an executive director of the company. He's also the chairman and founder of Contra Group, an advertising agency. Last year Blyk announced that it had doubled its first-year target by attracting 200,000 members to its network. [Source: Press release]

Blyk raises money and cuts costs

Ad-funded virtual mobile network Blyk raises says it's raised an additional €40 million to support its operations, although it's also cutting costs and is streamlining the organisation. Blyk launched in the UK in September 2007, attracting over 200,000 members in its first year. It's currently working with 180 brands and plans to have and 200 brands using the service by the end of 2008. [Press release]

Blyk reaches 200,000 customers

A year after it launched, ad-funded virtual network Blyk says it has over 200,000 customers. That's twice as many as the company originally forecast. Word of mouth is a major factor in thi growth, with 6 out of 10 customers joining because of a friend’s recommendation. [Blyk blog]

Blyk expands again

Ad-funded virtual network Blyk has said it’ll be expanding into Germany, Spain and Belgium in 2009. The mobile network, which offers free calls and texts for 16-24 year-olds, already operates in the UK and has previously announced plans to launch in the Netherlands. [Press release]

New edition of Mobile News podcast now online

This week's edition of the Mobile News podcast (produced by TheFonecast.com) features an interview with Shaun Gregory, the UK CEO of virtual network Blyk. You'll also hear our regular review of the latest mobile industry headlines and rumours, plus there's a quick review of the new Nokia 6600 slide.

The Mobile News podcast is produced by The Fonecast. There's more information about the team and an archive of previous broadcasts at TheFonecast.com.

Blyk reaches 100,000 customers ahead of target

Virtual advertising-funded mobile network Blyk has hit its target of 100,000 users ahead of schedule. It had planned to reach the figure within a year of its September 2007 launch but met the target five months early. At its current growth rate it could reach 250,000 users by Christmas. [Source: Telegraph.co.uk]

Blyk expands into Europe

Advertising-funded mobile phone network Blyk, which is currently available to 16-24 year olds in the UK, has announced that it's expanding into the Dutch market in partnership with Vodafone Netherlands. It's also said Goldman Sachs and IFIC will be new investors in the company. [Press release]