Opera Software says it’s signed a licensing agreement that’ll result in Opera Mini becoming the default web browser for Microsoft’s existing portfolio of feature phones. The deal covers mobile phones based on the Series 30+, Series 40 and Asha software platforms.
Consumers who already have one of these devices will be encouraged to ‘upgrade’ from the former Nokia Xpress browser to Opera Mini, while new devices will have Opera Mini installed at the factory.
Opera Mini is currently used by around 250 million people. It includes compression technology to reduce mobile data costs and page loading times, as does the Xpress browser.
Rich Bernardo, head of Microsoft’s legacy phone business, said “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. The agreement with Opera will enable us to provide continuity of service as we transition from Xpress Browser to Opera Mini.”