Rok moves to acquire Xero Mobile

UK MOBILE TV specialist, Rok, has made a surprise move in announcing it has entered talks to take over Los Angeles-based Xero Mobile.

Xero is trying to create an ad-funded network like Blyk. The firm is pursuing exactly the same clientele as Blyk – students.

Rok is generally regarded as a mobile content provider and so the deal might look a little odd. But a clue for its motives lies in how Xero hopes to fund the cost of calls for its subscribers.

Students will have to agree to receive a number of adverts each day on their mobile phones. These adverts are expected to be 'TV style' and Rok has the technology to compress video into a mobile phone friendly format.

The outfit has also dabbled in low cost telephony with its Viper offering. Xero doesn't appear to be offering a service just yet but you can sign up for an email alert as to when and where it expects to get going.

We also hear there's another Blyk in the making, as Extreme Mob hopes to set up a similar network in the UK. µ

L'INQ
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