MTN boosts African Opera Mini users by 1665%

Johannesburg- A special version of the Opera Mini mobile web browser, launched by MTN and Opera Software last year to MTN's subscribers, has been met with great enthusiasm by MTN customers across the 15 markets where it's currently available. In a mere twelve months, MTN subscribers have increased their use of Opera Mini by 1665%.

Opera Mini has seen a phenomenal uptake since launch, with customers in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Cameroon, Cyprus, Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Liberia, Zambia and Benin showing a healthy appetite for the smart tool. As of January 2012, MTN customers in Zambia averaged 772 webpages per month through Opera Mini - which is more than any other MTN market in Africa.

"Opera Mini has made my life much easier because it is fast and works across the country," says Variety Marewa, a Rwandan entrepreneur. "I can check web mail, keep in touch and informed at less than 85% of what it used to cost me."

The introduction of customised versions of Opera Mini strengthens MTN's small-screen strategy to take customers' mobile web experience to the next level. The collaboration with Opera Software also provides MTN subscribers with a more affordable, user-friendly and faster mobile web experience.

"This growth is awesome," says Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software. "Nigeria is particularly exciting for us; it now ranks fourth in the world among Opera Mini users. In January, our Nigerian MTN Opera Mini users alone accessed more than 766 million pages equaling 11.4 terabytes of data, which is compressed by up to 90% through our Opera servers. That's a whole lot of love for the mobile web and, given the websites Nigerians visit most frequently, participation on a global level is something they value."

Nigerians are most likely to visit global sites like Google, Facebook and BBC News on their phones, followed by local ones, with a soccer site being tremendously popular.

MTN Group Chief Commercial Officer, Christian de Faria, says, "By using Opera Mini, our customers get the most out of the web, while getting one-click access to MTN content portals via their Opera Mini start page. This way, MTN subscribers can reach the content they want, with less frustration and less expense."

Opera Mini has more than 160 million monthly users around the world, and is available on over 3,000 different phone models including basic non-smartphones. Opera Mini compresses webpages by up to 90% before they even reach the phone, saving consumers both time and money.

ENDS

-Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

About MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN." As of 30 September 2011, MTN recorded over 158 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtn.comand www.mtnfootball.com

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. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com."

For more information, please contact:

Silvanus Mabaso on +27 83 222 7613 or silvan_s@mtn.co.za

Zinhle Dlamini on +27 83 212 9436 or dlamin_z@mtn.co.za

Lynne Oeschger on +27 83 501 3290 or lynneo@opera.com