14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Opera and Vodafone announced that they signed a three-year extension of their global agreement, which will offer the wireless carrier's customers the possibility to benefit from Opera products right on their devices. The agreement includes, among other, the availability of a Vodafone-branded Opera Mini browser, part of the wireless carrier's Internet strategy for feature phones, and a core element of this strategy in emerging markets.
The Opera Mini mobile browser is seen as having a strategic role in driving the penetration of data consumption to the mass market.
This customized flavor of Opera Mini was launched two years ago, and was made available in various markets where the wireless carrier offers services.
The Opera Mini browser has seen an increase of around 300 percent in the number of active users year on year, and is enjoying steady increase in emerging markets, as well as in the European Union.
“In our complex world of advanced technology and a multitude of services, it’s easy to forget that consumers want a simple approach to their mobile device,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software.
He also stated that Vodafone is one of the companies that understands the needs of consumers, while also trying to address them.
“The extension of the partnership between Vodafone and Opera Software is a testament to the close relationship between the two companies, a relationship that has refined the concept of the mobile browser,” he continues.
Vodafone notes that Opera Mini plays an important role in delivering the Internet to end-users. It also offers social and economic benefits, especially in regions where standard communication services have low availability.
“Providing customers with a good internet experience on even the most affordable handsets has been key to Vodafone Opera Mini’s success,” Cenk Sedar, director of Data and Communications Services, Vodafone, commented.
“Further we see how Vodafone WebBox powered by Opera Mini is able to effectively extend the reach of mobile communication services by bringing great quality affordable internet experience to the TV screen as well, empowering communities as a whole.”