17 August 2011
Pan-African mobile operator MTN has signed an agreement with Opera Software to provide customers across its 21 markets with customised co-branded versions of the Opera Mini web browser, which cuts down on the amount of data used while browsing the web.
Opera Mini, which claims to be the most popular mobile web browser, shrinks down websites and data by up to 90% before delivering the content to the phone, which according to MTN provides a faster, more affordable and user-friendly mobile web experience.
Small-screen strategy
The introduction of customised versions of Opera Mini strengthens the mobile operator’s small-screen strategy to radically improve its customers’ mobile web experience.
“By offering faster access to websites and easy entry to MTN portals, MTN subscribers can reach the content they want, with less frustration and less expense,” MTN Group chief commercial officer Christian de Faria said in a statement this week.
“With just one click, customers have music, news, games and information on MTN products and services at their fingertips.”
De Faria said MTN wanted to offer its subscribers innovative mobile internet services that could have a positive impact on information, sharing and communication in their everyday lives.
Bringing the best web experience
Opera Mini has more than 115-million monthly users around the world, and is available on over 3 000 different phone models, including basic feature phones.
Under the agreement, MTN will centrally launch a tailor-made version of Opera Mini to each of its 21 markets, with localised links and content. By using Opera Mini, people get the most out of the web, plus get one-click access to MTN content portals via their Opera Mini startpage.
“We are eager to bring the best web experience to Africa and the Middle East, and working with MTN Group’s network enables us to achieve that,” said Opera Software CEO Lars Boilsen.
“We have seen incredible uptake of Opera Mini in that geography so far, and we look forward to building on that success with one of the region’s leading mobile communications providers.”
SAinfo reporter
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