Blyk, the new mobile network for 16-24s funded by advertising launches its service on MetraNet platform

Boston, MA and London, October 9, 2007 – Blyk, the world’s first advertising-funded mobile network for 16-24 year olds has announced the launch of its UK service. Blyk is using MetraNet™, MetraTech’s billing, customer self-care and partner management platform, to implement its innovative business model. Blyk’s end-to-end BSS (Business Support Systems) solution is based on the MetraNet platform.  

MetraNet, in addition to providing the customer-facing BSS, is also responsible for financial transaction settlement between Blyk and its advertisers. By establishing a flexible, scalable, cost-efficient IT infrastructure partnership, Blyk is able to fulfill its vision of providing its customers with free communications, funded by mobile advertising.

Blyk is an invitation-only mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month.

For brands, Blyk is an innovative, new media channel, providing direct access to the 16-24 year old market; enabling them to create awareness, build relationships and drive sales to this hard to reach audience.

Kari Penttilä, chief technology officer at Blyk, said: "The right BSS solutions and services strengthen our capability to manage IT operations. MetraTech will help us focus on our business challenge and provide a platform that can deliver a reliable and innovative service to our customers. The cost efficiency and comprehensive service package, fast time to market and the flexible IT solution convinced us that MetraTech is the right partner for us".

Scott Swartz, chief executive officer of MetraTech, said: "We are delighted to play a part in Blyk’s launch by supporting its cutting-edge service.  Blyk’s decision to deploy MetraNet underlines the demand for a platform that can dynamically account for new business models rapidly, cost effectively and robustly.  We are proud to become a key technology partner in one of the most exciting and progressive offerings in the mobile market.”

About MetraTech
MetraTech Corp. provides the leading Web Services-based solution for billing, customer self-care, and partner management. MetraNet, MetraTech's modular flagship platform, empowers customers to invent new business models and enhance collaboration among IT, business groups and subscribers. MetraTech offers a variety of delivery options ranging from licensing to outsourcing. Headquartered in Boston, MetraTech has offices in San Francisco, Frankfurt, Paris and London. MetraTech is a venture-backed, privately held company whose investors include Accel Partners, Vesbridge Partners (formerly St. Paul Venture Capital), Meritech Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners and Lucent Venture Partners. For more information, please visit www.metratech.com.

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. about.blyk.com

MetraTech is a registered trademark, and the MetraTech logo is a trademark of MetraTech Corp. All rights reserved. All company, brand, product, and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Media Contacts

For additional information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Sarah Bedwell
Mustard PR for MetraTech Corp.
Telephone: +44 (0)1628 502601
Email Address: sarah@mustardpr.com

Keith Brody
Head of Communications
MetraTech Corp.
Telephone: 44(0)7790 245779
Email address: kbrody@metratech.com

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