Opera more than doubles download numbers in Europe after Choice Screen introduction

Oslo, Norway – March 18, 2010

Following the introduction of the Choice Screen in Europe, Opera Software is experiencing a dramatic uptake on downloads of its latest browser, Opera 10.50. After the Choice Screen launch in early March, on average, more than half of the European downloads of Opera’s latest browser come directly from the Choice Screen.

“This confirms that when users are given a real choice on how they choose the most important piece of software on their computer, the browser, they will try out alternatives,” said HÃ¥kon Wium Lie, CTO of Opera Software. “A multitude of browsers will make the Web more standardized and easier to browse.”

The increase represents more than a doubling from the normal download numbers, even only after a short period with the Choice Screen. According to plan, the rollout of the Choice Screen will continue well into May for existing Windows computers and for five more years on new installations.

The following numbers are the percentages of country downloads of Opera’s latest desktop browser that originate from the Choice Screen, as part of the total Opera 10.50 numbers for desktop.

Country

Choice Screen increase

Choice Screen as % of total DL

Poland

328%

77%

Spain

215%

68%

Italy

202%

67%

Denmark

198%

66%

Netherlands

157%

61%

Portugal

157%

59%

Belgium

123%

55%

France

117%

54%

Sweden

111%

53%

Switzerland

109%

52%

Greece

93%

48%

Austria

85%

46%

United Kingdom

85%

46%

Czech Republic

64%

39%

Germany

64%

39%

Norway

57%

37%

Hungary

53%

35%

European average

130%

53%

The increase percentage due to Choice Screen was found by comparing downloads from Choice Screen to all other downloads for each country. Other downloads includes downloads of new installations outside Choice Screen and manual upgrades of the 10.50 browser. Numbers were collected from Opera download statistics, over three days, March 12 – 14.