Nils Rydbeck onboard: Former CTO Ericsson Mobile Phones Joins Opera's Board of Directors

Oslo, Norway - June 17, 2004

Opera Software's Annual General Meeting today elected Dr. Nils Rydbeck, the former CTO of Ericsson Mobile Phones, to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Rydbeck, MSEE, PhD, PhD h.c., served as CTO and Senior Vice President R&D of Ericsson Mobile Phones between 1985-2001. Since 2002 he has combined being Professor of Communication Systems at Lund University, Sweden, with independent Executive Consultation. Dr. Rybeck is a Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences; a recipient of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences Gold Medal (1997) as well as the Telecom City Grand prize (1999). Blekinge Institute of Technology awarded him a an Honorary Doctorate degree (Ph.D. honoris causa) in 2000.

"Nils brings Opera's board unique competency in the mobile Internet market," says Christian Thommessen, Chairman, Opera Software ASA. "As Opera continues its expansion in the mobile market, he will be a key player in developing the company and its products in the best direction possible."

"A few years a go the telecommunications market saw little use in open Web technologies. But by pushing innovation and great engineering, Opera has in a very short time completely changed the industry landscape. Opera's Small-Screen Rendering innovation has sensibly Web-enabled devices, and Opera Platform is in the process of bringing fun, revenue-generating data services directly in front of users everywhere," says Dr. Nils Rydbeck.

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the Web should be a universal right. 220 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the Internet. Our vision of one Web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.