Initially, Blyk’s plan was to sell service directly to consumers and piggy-back on Orange’s network in the UK, however, in May it said it was shelving plans to roll out MVNOs in new markets, and instead was focusing on forming partnerships with mobile carriers to resell their service. Orange would mark the first deal of its kind.

SEE ALSO: Ad-Funded Blyk Sees Future With Carriers, Not Standing Alone

Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) already offers something similar in the U.S. called Sugar Mama. For a minute of ads online, they get a free minute of airtime. Or, for filling out a five-minute survey about brands or products, they get five minutes of airtime. On the phone, texts and picture messages also earn airtime.