Free mobile internet for everyone!

I doubt if some of you still don’t know the company Mobile Vikings. This young company came up last year providing cheap mobile internet for smartphones and tablet PC’s in Belgium. So far, more than 90 000 users have been convinced by the new operator. Since innovativeness and entrepreneurship have always been the key driver in their business, Mobile Vikings recently launched an experiment in which customers can earn free mobile internet service by participating in offers from local businesses. The system, called “Viking Spots” has set up a network of local businesses or “spots” that can be accessed virtually  through a smartphone app. When mobile users interact with these spots, for example whey they check-in, buy something and write a recommendation, they earn free Viking Points, which can be exchanged for credit on their Mobile Vikings account. Currently, the system is only open to a limited set of users around Hasselt, where the headquarters of Mobile Vikings are located. However, a broader roll-out in other cities can be expected soon. In fact, the Viking Spots platform could be compared to the existing Foursquare-app for smartphones. Yet, the difference with the new app is that you can get rewarded for your check-ins and purchases at local businesses. As a result, powering mobile users through local business offers means benefits for both parties. An idea to watch and learn from!

Thomas Catteeuw