Opera sets stage for more Indian handsets

Opera Software, known for its efficient browsers for entry-level mobile phones is on an expansion mode.

Along with the Japan-based manufacturer of electronic products, Sharp, Opera is set to launch two new Sharp mobile phones in India with a pre-installed Opera Mini browser. The Norwegian company has already partnered with Indian handset vendors like Lemon, Videocon, Fly, Lava and Spice, among others to pre-bundle Opera browsers.

Opera has also collaborated with Indian handset vendors like Micromax to introduce dedicated keys that directly launch the Opera mobile browser on 2G handsets.

Jon S von Tetzchner, co-founder of Opera software said: “We have two mobile browsers. The first is Opera Mobile that was developed to be pre-installed on handsets of OEM-partners like Nokia. The second, Opera Mini, was developed to be downloaded as a Java application and this is where Indian consumers have kicked up a new growth area for us.”

Opera is now focusing on spreading the Java-based Opera Mini and monetising on it through telecom operators who seek to have a brand presence in the market.

Opera Mini has more than 80 million monthly users worldwide. India is the third largest country for Opera Mini. It will continue to be available through user downloads and pre-installations from mobile OEMs and telecom operators. Pre-installed or downloaded Opera Mini primarily creates revenue from deals with search engines like Google where Opera is paid per search, says Tetzchner.

The company estimates that Opera Mini users in India consume 7 MB per month and are paying an estimated Rs 42 per month if they have opted for the pay-per-use plans.