Blyk denies slow subscriber rates

A DISGRUNTLED Blyk user has contacted the INQ alleging that most of those who have joined this ad funded network are turning off their handset's messaging capabilities in order to avoid receiving the adverts.

However, Leif Fagelstedt, Blyk's COO, explained that there was probably some confusion over the way the system operated. In order to achieve full membership, participants must ensure they have installed the correct MMS/picture messaging settings in their phone.

He claimed that with something like 60 to 70 per cent of all phones this is easy and that the Blyk network can recognise around 95 per cent of all MMS capable handsets. The other 5 per cent come from obscure Asian markets/manufacturers.

Fagelstedt pointed out that presently there are somewhere in the region of 2,400 different handsets in the UK that could potentially interact with the Blyk network.

When members first activate their Blyk SIM, he says, they receive a 'Super-ad' message which provides instructions on what they must do. Fagelstedt did confirm, however, that they still enjoy free minutes even if they haven't gained full membership.

He also admitted that initially there had been a largish number of subscribers in the network's 'waiting room' awaiting advice on how to connect properly but maintained that number had declined significantly now.

In the three and a half months since Blyk started operations in the UK, Fagelstedt claims, there have been 400 different ad campaigns and that the response rate had been around 29 per cent which is excellent compared to a typical one per cent response rate.

Fagelstedt argues that the UK launch of Blyk has been very much a 'proof of concept' and that early teething problems – such as providing the correct settings for MMS – are to be expected.

According to Fagelstedt, the company is slightly ahead of its own target of acquiring 100,000 users within 12 months of the commencement of trading.

Dismissed the fact that the packaging in which the Blyk SIM card arrives isn't very swish or trendy, Fagelstedt mere said. "An envelope is an envelope."

So it looks like the rumour that Blyk is close to giving up and becoming just another MVNO using the Orange network isn't true at all. µ

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