Opera Software and Vodafone signed a three-year extension of their global frame agreement under which the Big Red carrier will continue to offer Opera mobile web browsers to its customers around the world. Included in the deal is a Vodafone-branded Opera Mini browser, which apparently is at the core of the carrier’s Internet strategy for feature phones in emerging markets. Unsurprisingly users across the globe like the idea of having a full Internet experience on their mobile phones, the fact that in turns drives data penetration for Vodafone.
The customized Opera Mini was introduced in 2009 and has seen great success. The number of active users of the Opera Mini browser is up 300% year on year and growing in both emerging markets and the EU.
Commenting on the news, Vodafone’s Cenk Sedar said: “What makes Vodafone Opera Mini’s story special is the role it plays in bringing mobile Internet, along with its social and economic benefits, to the masses, particularly in regions under-penetrated by standard communication services. Providing customers with a good Internet experience on even the most affordable handsets has been key to Vodafone Opera Mini’s success. 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.”