OREANDA-NEWS. June 15, 2012. VimpelCom Ltd (“VimpelCom”, “Company” or “Group”) (NYSE:VIP), a leading global provider of telecommunications services, and Opera Software ASA, maker of leading browsers, today announce their strategic partnership to deliver a mobile web browser optimized for basic phones.

The special VimpelCom Opera Mini mobile browser is expected to be launched across VimpelCom’s operator brands in 18 countries, starting in summer 2012, providing over 200 million VimpelCom customers with the opportunity to access a rich, fast and data-efficient mobile browser ideally suited for low-cost mobile phones.

The special VimpelCom Opera Mini browser will make it easier for VimpelCom voice subscribers to try, activate and regularly use internet services on their handsets. Customers can customize their browsing experience and access favorite internet services such as Facebook or Google Search with one click, directly from their home page.

Mikhail Gerchuk, VimpelCom’s Group Chief Commercial Officer, said the collaboration would provide the Group’s customers around the world with an enjoyable, fast and user-friendly mobile web experience regardless of how advanced their handsets are.

 “Most of our customers live in emerging markets, where the demand for mobile internet access is rapidly accelerating, outpacing the penetration of smartphones and the deployment of 3G networks. In most of our markets, VimpelCom will be the first operator to provide this innovative mobile service, which will enable our customers to experience the mobile web and its exciting benefits,” he said.

The Opera Mini browser provides users with advanced compression technology, which shrinks down webpages by up to 90% before they reach the phone. This allows users to expand the web experience dramatically with each and every megabyte they consume, while keeping costs down.

 In addition to offering cost-effective access to the web via mobile, the VimpelCom Opera Mini browser places a high importance on user experience and functionality. Multiple browsing sessions will be possible through dedicated tabs. Local news, content and applications will be available with one click, directly from the home page.

Lars Boilesen, Opera Software’s Chief Executive Officer, said the partnership would enable VimpelCom subscribers to get much more fun out of the mobile web.

“The Opera mobile browser is already loved by more than 190 million users worldwide, and we keep looking for new ways to make the mobile web more accessible. With over 200 million subscribers and many popular operator brands in different regions, VimpelCom is in a great position to contribute significantly to the mobile web boom we’re experiencing worldwide,” he said.

The VimpelCom optimized Opera Mini browser will be launched this summer in VimpelCom operations across the globe.