Opera Software announced that MTN, Uganda's largest mobile carrier, has selected the Opera Mini mobile browser to be embedded in its customers' handsets. This will allow MTN's Ugandan subscribers (almost 3 million) to access the Web with ease, wherever they might be (as long as their mobile device is functional and they're in the carrier's coverage area).

 

Talking about the new agreement with the Ugandan operator, Jon von Tetzchner, Opera's Chief Executive Officer, said, "Africa has tremendous growth potential in Web browsing and MTN is a major communications company focused on the African continent. We believe that everyone should have access to the full Web no matter the location or the device. MTN and Opera Software share the vision of ushering in a new era in connectivity across the African continent."

 

Opera says that, even before MTN's implementation of Opera Mini, users from Uganda were already surfing the Web via its browser. The top ten websites visited from Uganda via Opera Mini (according to a June 2008 report) are:

 

1. Google (predictable);

2. Yahoo;

3. Facebook

4. Wikipedia

5. BBC News

6. Gmail

7. New Vision Uganda

8. BBC

9. CNN

10. Monitor Uganda

 

"MTN has been at the forefront of bringing our customers the most innovative and efficient ways of having the world at their fingertips," states Noel Meier, CEO of MTN. "With this latest addition to MTN’s solutions portfolio, we are confident that customers will find web browsing a much easier and more pleasurable experience. Partnering with Opera Software will enable MTN to provide this experience to our customers therefore re-affirming our commitment to being a total telecommunications solutions provider in Uganda."

 

With a population of over 30 million, the landlocked Uganda has only about 6 million mobile subscribers. However, the mobile penetration rate is growing quickly, this being one of the main reasons why Opera should be proud of the new agreement with MTN.

 

Based in South Africa, MTM offers mobile services in 21 countries from across Africa and the Middle East. Thus, after partnering with Opera for Uganda, the carrier might also bring Opera Mini to more African and Middle Eastern countries.