U.K.'s ad-based mobile carrier Blyk launches

Former Nokia president Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Contra Group chairman and CEO Antti Öhrling have launched their ad-subsidized MVNO Blyk in the U.K. The service has plans to become a "pan-European free mobile operator" offering subscribers free, ad-supported voice and text services. The service is restricted to 16- to 24-year-olds, no one older or younger may sign up for the service, and users who turn 25-years-old need to start paying for the service.

Blyk users agree to receive six text messages a day from the MVNO, in return, they are allotted 217 free text messages and 43 minutes of voice time per month, with the option to pay for more. Data usage is billed at 99 pence/minute.

For more on the MVNO:
- read this press release