Speed and innovation to drive mobile web growth

MTN Nigeria rolls out Opera Mini

Oslo, Norway – October 18, 2011

With the signing of an agreement between MTN and Opera Software, over 40 million subscribers can now expect to see faster, easier and more cost-effective mobile web surfing on their handsets.

MTN customers will also enjoy a faster and more affordable web experience through one-click access to MTN’s Play entertainment portal, as well as easier access to any other website.

Already, more than 130 million people around the world have discovered how Opera Mini can help revolutionize their mobile web experience. Not only does Opera Mini deliver the Web faster to almost any phone, it also cuts data costs by compressing webpage data before pages are delivered, while retaining all the functionality of a normal webpage.

“MTN as a whole has seen the value of Opera Mini and we are introducing it in all the 21 countries we operate in,” said Bola Akingbade, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria. “We believe that communication and participation empowers people. By working with Opera, we deliver greater value to our customers, with a faster browsing experience, lowering the barriers to spending time online.”

Opera Mini works on more than 3,000 different mobile phone models, from basic feature phones to high-end smart phones.

It shares many features with Opera’s browsers for desktop, including tabbed browsing, password manager and speed dial.

“Our goal has always been to offer the full Web to our users – no matter the device. Over the past few years, we have observed the explosion of mobile web usage across Africa. MTN has been leading the way, with its strong customer focus and innovative solutions,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software. “The further growth of the mobile Web depends on our joint ability to understand and enhance the user experience. We look forward to working closely with MTN Nigeria to ensure a large and happy user base.”

Existing Opera Mini users on the MTN network in Nigeria will be automatically updated to the new version when next they run Opera Mini. New users can also download it from the customized MTN Opera Mini link, m.opera.com, using their default mobile browser.

About the 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 April 2011, MTN recorded 149 million subscribers and subsequently passed 150 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.com and www.mtnfootball.com. For more information, please contact: Xolisa Vapi on +27 83 200 4363 or email.