Orange in Botswana and Opera Software are set to provide the Opera Mini web browser to Orange's more than 1 million mobile customers in the country, giving faster and less expensive web access through cellphones and tablets.
Like most African countries, most people in Botswana do not have access to fixed-line internet, so a mobile device will be their first, and often only, way to access the internet. Yet, Batswanans love the web and their current favorite mobile sites which are Facebook, Google, YouTube, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, Waptrick, Twitter, Blogger, BBC News, Dictionary.com (
http://Dictionary.com) and Answers.com (
http://Answers.com).
Orange, which is committed to providing web access everywhere in the country, and Opera will provide a co-branded version of Opera Mini. Orange customers will also be able to access a range of Orange portals, with a single click on Opera Mini's Speed Dial, found on the browser home page.
Opera Mini is one of the browsers made by Norwegian company, Opera Software. Opera Mini works on more than 3,000 devices and compresses data by up to 90% before it reaches consumers, giving users a fast and powerful mobile web experience.
The compression ability offered by Opera Mini means we can make far better use of our existing infrastructure while, at the same time, offering a lower cost and far quicker web access to our mobile subscribers," says Lebogang Moruti, Offers and Services Manager for Marketing at Orange Botswana. "We anticipate our launch of the co-branded Opera Mini will be met with high demand by our customers."
"Our offering is strong, particularly on basic phones in Botswana. We have worked hard as a company to provide a very smart mobile web experience even on old handsets," says Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software. "We have already seen strong growth in Botswana over the years, and this new relationship with Orange will see that develop even further."
Orange Botswana is the second Orange operation in Africa to have chosen Opera Mini, and follows Orange Ivory Coast.
About Orange Botswana
Orange Botswana is a leading mobile operator and provider of telecommunication services in Botswana serving more than 1 million customers countrywide on a GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G+ and Wimax network. For more information visit:
www.orange.co.bw (
http://www.orange.co.bw)
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. 300 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 (
http://www.opera.com)
ra at
www.opera.com (
http://www.opera.com)