Oslo, Norway, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – December 12, 2012
Today MobiFone is announcing its Opera Mini Data Plan. This launch has been a result of a partnership agreement between MobiFone and Opera Software, experienced developer of web browsers. Opera Mini Data Plan offers MobiFone subscribers unlimited web-browsing, a faster web browsing experience and an attractive monthly subscription for 15,000 VND.
MobiFone’s Opera Mini Data Plan offers subscribers unlimited web browsing, and free data for file downloading (with a size smaller than 15 MB), via MobiFone GPRS/EDGE and 3G for a monthly subscription charge of 15,000 VND/ month, inclusive of VAT. However, video/audio streaming is not covered by this data plan. The plan applies to users running Opera Mini 4.3 or later.
“This attractive Opera Mini Data Plan is designed to offer customers who have little or limited access to internet the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of mobile internet access. Opera Mini works especially well for a wide range of 2G and 2.5G basic phones and smartphones,” says Nguyen Dinh Chien, Deputy Director of MobiFone. “The partnership with Opera Software is part of our commitment to continuously improve our service quality by providing more options for various market segments at a reasonable cost.”
Opera Mini offers unique data compression technology that compresses websites by 90%, and giving users a more speedy web browsing experience than with the normal browsers. This is a great advantage for mobile internet users, especially those using 2G and 2.5G phones.
Opera Mini is one of the world’s most popular mobile browsers, used by more than 190 million people. With its speed, cost savings and friendly user interface, Opera Mini is booming in Vietnam. Millions of Vietnamese users access the internet via Opera Mini. Compared to October 2011, Opera Mini usage in Vietnam grew more than 35% year over year, and page views have increased by more than 103.5%. Vietnam is now one of the top five countries in the world in terms of Opera Mini usage.
Mobile phones are providing a new internet audience in Vietnam. A recent study from On Device Research (May 2011) indicates that 43% of Vietnamese who use the mobile web either never, or infrequently, access the internet via desktop computer. This group, the “mobile only” generation, is considerably larger in Vietnam than in countries such as China and Thailand (30% and 28%, respectively). Mobile subscribers in Vietnam now total 127 million, indicating a mobile-penetration rate reaching 139% of the total population.
“The number of web surfers will undoubtedly grow further in Vietnam with MobiFone’s highly affordable, unlimited Opera Mini Data Plan,” says Brian Bae, VP Sales & Marketing Regional Head for South East Asia at Opera Software. “Opera Mini is available on just about every internet-capable phone and opens up the internet to the previously unconnected. More Vietnamese consumers will become netizens so they can share in the power of the internet.”
For service registration, MobiFone subscribers should take the following steps:
- Download and install the MobiFone/Opera Mini browser.
- Send the registration text message “DK OPE” to 999 or by visiting opera.mobifone.com.vn.
For survice support, subscribers can dial 9090.
MobiFone will officially activate this service from 12:00 a.m. today, December 12. Upon service activation, all Opera Mini browsers that have been installed on MobiFone subscriber devices will be automatically converted to the MobiFone/Opera Mini browser and will therefore be eligible to register for the Opera Mini Data Plan. To heighten user interest in this plan during the first two months, from 12:00 a.m., December 12, 2012 through to 11:59 p.m., February 12, 2013, MobiFone will offer one month free to Opera Mini Data Plan subscribers, regardless of whether they are new data plan subscribers or renewed ones.
Also, during the four-week period, beginning December 19 and running through January 15, 2013, MobiFone subscribers can participate a prize quiz, which is offered by default via one of the Speed Dial entries in the MobiFone/Opera Mini browser. Participants will have the chance to win one of four Galaxy SIII devices or one of the other attractive prizes provided by MobiFone and Opera.
For further details, please visit www.mobifone.com.vn or opera.mobifone.com.vn.
About MobiFone
Founded in April 16th 1993, Vietnam Mobile Telecom Services Company(VMS), a state-owend company under Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, has become the first GMS 900/1800 mobile telephony services provider in the brand name MobiFone, marking the beginning momentum of the mobile telephony industry in Vietnam. MobiFone specializes in building, developing network and providing mobile telephony. The company is now the largest telecommunications provider in Vietnam with more than 34 million mobile subscribers in 2010. It is the only operator had been selected as the best mobile operator for three consecutive years (from 2005-2008) in the Vietnam Mobile Awards Ceremony organized by E-chip Mobile Magazine. In 2009, MobiFone was honored to receive the Excellent Operator 2008 granted by Vietnam Ministry of Information and Communications. More information, please visit www.mobifone.com.vn.