Opera celebrates World Telecom Day, May 17

Beijing, China — May 17, 2009

Opera Software, the world’s leading cross-platform Internet browser, today celebrates World Telecom day by reviewing its long-standing, active role in helping the development of the global telecom industry.

“Our mission is to provide the best Internet experience on any device,” says Jon S. von Tetzchner, Opera CEO. “Opera was the first to bring full Web to mobile-phone users. Through providing powerful products, such as Opera Mobile and Opera Mini, Opera has helped hundreds of millions of people around the world enjoy the Internet browsing experience on the go.”

May 17 is also Constitution Day in Norway, where the company was founded.

Great products

With “One Web” as the vision ahead, Opera entered the mobile area several years ago with two powerful products.

In 2000, Opera introduced Opera Mobile. It was world’s first full Internet browser that could run on a smart phone. With powerful features such as Small Screen Rendering, Opera Zoom, Opera Link and downloading support, Opera Mobile provides users with a stunning, PC-like browsing experience on a mobile phone. Since 2004, there have been more than 125 million units preinstalled with Opera Mobile shipping out globally. Almost all major mobile phone brands have shipped models with Opera Mobile.

In 2006, Opera introduced Opera Mini, a small, but speedy browser that can run on almost any mobile phone, whether a smartphone or a low-end model, as long as it supports Java. By compressing the data via a server, the revolutionary application can reduce data consumed by up to 90 percent. Opera Mini is the world’s most popular mobile browser, with monthly active users hitting over 23 million. In March 2009, Opera Mini served 148 million MB of data to handsets worldwide. If this data were uncompressed, Opera Mini users would have viewed nearly 1.4 PB of data in March.

Strong partnerships

Opera not only has provided compelling products to the industry, but also has long-established, strong partnerships with major mobile phone manufacturers worldwide. Through preinstallment agreements, Opera has made Opera Mobile or Opera Mini the default browsers for Nokia, HTC, Motorola, Samsung and Sony-Ericsson, to name a few.

Opera has also developed close partnerships with major operators, including T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange by Ten, SKT and KDDI. In February 2009, Vodafone announced the development of a custom-made version of Opera Mini aimed at giving customers with low- and mid-priced handsets a high-quality mobile Internet experience on the go.

Active role in China

Despite entering China just three years ago, Opera has already achieved great things.

In 2007, Opera worked with local leading WAP site Kong.net jointly to launch KZ-Opera Mini, letting Chinese consumers to experience the best Internet browsing on the go.

On December 18, 2008, Opera officially introduced the Chinese version of Opera Mini to Chinese consumers, with a new server park in China. Opera Mini has already won the hearts of more than 1 million active users and the user base is surging.

Opera has also established good partnership with local mobile-phone makers. For example, Meizu, ZTE, and Huawei already ship models with Opera Mobile preinstalled.

Opera also enjoys good relationships with local operators.

“This year marks China’s official entrance to the 3G era, and we are very happy to be part of this historic moment. With our rich experience and good products, we would like to do our best, together with our partners, to provide the best mobile experience for Chinese consumers in the coming 3G era,” says Tetzchner.

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. 250 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. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.