Johannesburg – November 14, 2011
Tanzania’s largest cellular network, Vodacom, has launched the improved Vodafone/Opera Mini browser solution, enabling improved compatibility for more mobile phone types.
Previously Vodafone’s Opera Mini offering was limited to only few handset makes, the new version supports web accessibility to around 3000 handsets, including those with small screens and limited memory.
Tanzania is the most recent country to benefit from a global Vodafone agreement with Opera Software.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the product, Vodacom Tanzania’s Chief Officer of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mwamvita Makamba said Opera Mini will offer a unique faster browsing experience and super fast loading of webpages.
“The software will be available for download, free of charge, to all Vodacom customers with compatible handsets. Vodacom subscribers can now reach the content they want, with less frustration and expense. With just one click,” Mwamvita said.
New customers can get the browser by visiting the Vodacom mobile portal, http://m.vodacom.co.tz, and downloading it for free. Existing customers will receive a message prompting them to update to the new version.
More than one million Vodacom Tanzania customers will have music, news, games and information on Vodacom’s products and services at their fingertips through Speed Dial on the browser.
To date, 128 million people all over the world have discovered how Opera Mini can enhance their mobile web experience. Opera Mini delivers the Web faster to almost any phone. It also dramatically lowers data costs by compressing the size of the pages before they are delivered, while retaining all the functionality of a normal webpage.
This technology makes it possible for users to enjoy a desktop-like browser experience on their mobile phones.
“Opera believes that Internet access is a universal right, and being part of bringing that to Tanzania is important for us. We welcome Tanzanians to the global Opera family,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software.
He further commented that Africa is a booming market, and the agreement with Vodafone will bring the best Internet experience possible to millions of people eager for mobile web access.
A key reason for the success of Opera in Africa is its speed: loading Facebook just once on a handheld device will use up more than 200 KB worth of data. With a browser like Vodafone Opera Mini, which shrinks data down to a fraction of its original size, users can view Facebook 8.5 times using that same 200 KB.
The latest Vodafone/Opera Mini browser solution fulfills Vodacom’s promise to bring to market innovative, high quality and highly sought products that cater to their users’ needs, enabling Tanzanians to experience positive change in their lives through telecommunication technologies.
“This is another initiative taken by Vodacom to bring fun, hip and affordable services to Tanzanians. Vodacom is empowering Tanzanians by connecting them, creating possibilities and changing their lives” Mwamvita said.
About Vodacom Tanzania
Vodacom Tanzania Limited is Tanzania’s leading cellular network offering state-of-the-art GSM communication services to more than 10 million voice customers across the country and more than a million data customers. With such huge numbers, bringing the best internet experience is Vodacom’s number one priority. Vodacom is not only a leader in voice but also other products like MPESA which have changed lives in the Tanzanian Society. Get more knowledge on Vodacom at www.vodacom.co.tz