Oslo, Norway – December 17, 2004
Opera Software today announced the BREW (BinaryRuntime Environment for Wireless) -based Casio W21CA mobile phone with the Operabrowser has shipped and is now available in Tokyo stores. This is the first phonedeployed since Opera’s agreement with KDDI in August, fulfilling their promise todeliver Opera’s Web browser to KDDI’s 3G network in Japan. The Casio W21CA, shippedtoday, makes Opera the first full Web browser active on the Japanese 3G network.KDDI is the second largest mobile operator in Japan with over seven million BREWphones shipped as of the end of November 2004. KDDI is providing next generationservices and has chosen Opera to fulfill the promise of 3G capabilities.
“Today a superior mobile phone is available to one of the world’s mosttechnologically advanced markets, Japan,” says Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, OperaSoftware. “With Opera’s highly developed full Internet browser running on KDDI’s 3Gnetwork, Casio W21CA phone users can surf the Internet fast and efficiently, poweredby next generation technologies.”
“The Casio W21CA with the Opera browser has been eagerly awaited by the Japanesemarket,” says Mr. Toshio Maki, Vice President & General Manager, “au” Service &Product Planning Division, “au” Business Sector, KDDI. “Opera’s speed, usability andSSR (Small-Screen Rendering) technology make it the perfect mobile Web application,utilizing the versatility of a 3G mobile phone. Casio W21CA users are now embarkingon the future of mobile communication technology.”