Nokia will sing Opera tune

Opera Software has announced that its Opera Mini web browser will become the default browser on Microsoft’s existing feature and Asha phones.

The licensing agreement applies to mobile phones based on the Series 30+, Series 40 and Asha software platforms.

As part of the agreement, people who use the current browser for these phones, Xpress, will be encouraged to upgrade to the latest Opera Mini browser. Factory-new devices will have Opera Mini pre-installed.

Opera Mini is one of the world’s most popular web browsers that works on almost any phone. It has a built-in compression technology that allows people to save on mobile data. Opera Mini currently has around 250 million users, over 100 million of these on Android smartphones.

Microsoft first feature and Asha phones are popular with people seeking affordable, well-designed and reliable devices capable of internet browsing, apps and more.

“We continue to sell and support classic first and feature phones as well as the Asha range, which have performed well with millions of people who want new mobile experiences at lower price points,” said Rich Bernardo, head of legacy business, Phones, Microsoft. “The agreement with Opera will enable us to provide continuity of service as we transition from Xpress Browser to Opera Mini.

This is a great opportunity to spread the benefits of Opera Mini to millions more consumers in our core markets. There are still massive numbers of people who have not moved to smartphones, but Opera Mini can provide them with an amazing browsing experience right now,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software.

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