Existing Opera Mini users subscribing to MTN South Africa will be automatically updated to the special co-branded version when they next run Opera Mini. New users can download it for free from the customized MTN Opera Mini link, m.opera.com using their default mobile browser.

 

The introduction of the co-branded version of Opera Mini marks a key step in MTN South Africa's small-screen strategy of enabling an enhanced internet user experience on mobile phones. By offering faster internet access to any website, as well as easy entry to MTN's own portal, www.mtnplay.co.za, for any Java-enabled mobile phone, which encompasses the vast majority of mobile phones in use, MTN subscribers will now be empowered to consume the content they want, faster and more affordably.

 

"Over the past few years, we have observed the explosion of mobile web usage across Africa. MTN South Africa has been leading the way, with their strong customer focus and innovative solutions," says Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. "The further growth of the mobile Web depends on our joint ability to understand and enhance the user experience. We look forward to working closely with MTN South Africa in building a large and happy user base."

 

The Opera Mini mobile browser offers many of the features from the Opera desktop browser, such as tabs, bookmarks, password manager and Speed Dial. Compression technology reduces web content by up to 90%, allowing Opera Mini users to get webpages significantly faster than with any other mobile browser and at a lower cost.

 

South Africa currently has the highest number of Opera Mini users in Africa and the sixth-highest number of users globally. Unique users of Opera Mini in South Africa grew 59.5% between November 2009 and November 2010, alongside growth in the number of page views of 114%. Opera Mini is the world’s most popular mobile browser, with 80 million monthly users across the globe.