Blyk - UK`s first free mobile network - set to save Britain`s 16-24s millions of pounds

Released on: November 7, 2007, 10:29 am

Press Release Author: Splendid Communications

Industry: Telecommunications

Press Release Summary: Today, new free mobile network Blyk launches its mission to
make mobile phone bills and mobile contracts a thing of the past, bringing greater
financial freedom to the UK's young population.

Press Release Body:
Blyk, the revolutionary new mobile phone network for 16 to 24 year olds, gives
members free texts and minutes every month1 in what equates to an individual saving
of over £2802 each year - with no contract, no hidden costs or fees.

Shaun Gregory3 from Blyk commented, "We believe in free communications and Blyk is
bringing this to young people in the UK. If you apply these savings across the whole
of Britain's 7 million plus 16-24 year old population, and specifically 7,056,0004
mobile phone owners, that's a colossal saving of over £1.98 Billion per year. That's
a lot of cash that can go right back into the pockets of the UK's young people."

This means that potentially a savvy 16 year old could invest the money that they
would save due to the free texts and calls offered by Blyk and end up with around
£3,8305 in their pocket by the time they hit 25 (applying the current interest
rate), enough to cover the cost of a car or even a couple of round the world tickets
(and still have a nice bit of money left over). Just one year's savings could pay
for a 17 year old to learn a skill for life (£280 will pay for at least ten driving
lessons) and puts many other desirable items within financial reach.

Considered on an annual individual basis, Blyk members would have the freedom to
spend the £280 plus they are saving on any of the following:
- A brand new computer games console, with games from under £300
- A £20 top every month from a favourite high street fashion retailer
- At least four Premiership football tickets per season (at average £60 a ticket)
- 124 pints of lager or an extra two pints a week (at average UK price of £2.25)
- A pair of tickets (and Wellington boots) for Glastonbury 2008

Gregory added, "Blyk understands that young people face more financial pressure than
ever before and we want to offer some relief and give them freedom to use that money
for other things. Why pay for calls and texts when you can get them free. We don't
pay to listen to music on commercial radio, and it's becoming more and more common
to legally download films and music from the internet without paying. Building on
this "free content generation", it is Blyk's mission to make mobile phone bills (and
contracts) a thing of the past."

Ad-funded network

Blyk is able to fulfil this mission because it is ad-funded. All 16-24 year-olds who
sign up to Blyk will be given 217 texts and 43 minutes of talk time absolutely free
upfront every month in return for receiving a maximum of six adverts per day to
their phone from Blyk brand partners, including Xbox, Adidas and Coca-Cola to name a
few.

Once free minutes and texts have been used up, the user can simply top up just like
pay as you go. Blyk is committed to making sure these rates are among the most
competitive on the market.

Blyk membership is by invitation only, so when members join they also opt-in to
receiving the communications from brands. To ensure relevance of the advertising
communication, Blyk members identify their interests when joining Blyk. And
independent research has shown that nearly 71% of young people in the UK would
actually like to receive advertising messages on their mobiles if they were targeted
to their specific interests.

So, if you are 16 - 24 and want to enjoy the freedom of no phone bill and no
contract, visit www.blyk.co.uk/find to learn how to get hold of an invite.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

1. Blyk gives members 217 texts and 43 minutes per month, which research indicates
is the average monthly usage of a 16-24 year old

2 Annual saving of £288 based on average phone bill for 16-24 year olds on both PAYG
and contracts. Guide: TGI April '06 - March '07

3. According to TGI data for April '06 - March '07, 96% (i.e. 7,056,000) of the UK's
16-24 population own a mobile. Total 16-24s is 7,319,000

4. Based on savings account with BoE base rate 5.75%

5. Shaun Gregory is UK CEO of Blyk


About Blyk

^ Blyk is the new mobile network for 16 - 24s that's funded by advertising. Blyk
links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every
month. Blyk was co-founded in 2006 by Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Antti Öhrling and has
offices in Helsinki, Finland and London, UK. Blyk is now operating in the UK, with
other European markets to follow

^ The Blyk offer includes 217 free texts and 43 free minutes per month. This means
that two-thirds of all 16 to 24 year olds will have totally free mobile
communication within the Blyk offer.

^ If members go over their monthly allocation of free texts and minutes they can top
up just like pay as you go. Blyk will always make sure top up is at one of the most
competitive rates on the market, and it's easy: top up online, from your mobile or
at high street stores.

^ An invitation is needed to join Blyk. To find out how to get hold of one visit
www.blyk.co.uk/find or keep an eye out for Blyk events near your or joint activity
with our partner brands.

^ For the next 10 days you can join Blyk by texting the invite code 'Blyk' to 82595.

^ For more information, visit about.blyk.com





Web Site: http://www.blyk.co.uk

Contact Details: For more information or to speak directly to a Blyk spokesperson
contact:

Nick, Stella or Marvia at Splendid Communications on 0207 324 7200
or email nick@splendidcomms.com or stella@splendidcomms.com

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