MegaFon, a leading Russian universal telecommunications operator, its subsidiary MegaLabs joined with Opera Software today to launch a co-branded Opera Mini browser. Now, MegaFon’s subscribers can instantly access the most popular services of the mobile operator right from the popular browser’s start screen, including “Unlimited music+”, “Dating”, “Online Games”, “Video portal”, and other entertainment – all with just one click.
Opera Mini, a highly customizable mobile web browser, is compatible with more than 3,000 different makes of handsets. By using data compression technology, Opera Mini reduces the data delivered to any handset by up to 90% and, as a result, saves money on mobile internet bills.
“We invest in the development of the ecosystem of entertainment and information services, and this includes involvement of world leading partners,” says Vitaly Starodubov, Operational Director of MegaLabs CJSC. “Thanks to the joint project with Opera Software, services of the highest demand will become more accessible and comfortable for our users.”
Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software, says, “Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine mobile internet without Opera Mini, which is the most popular mobile browser in Russia. We are sure that the launch of the co-branded browser in partnership with MegaFon will give more opportunities to the operator’s subscribers and allow them to enjoy all the advantages of the fast and reliable mobile internet to the full.”
Subscribers can download the Opera Mini browser to their mobile phones from MegaFon’s GetUpps! application store (http://getupps.ru/) and from the GooglePlay and AppStore official application stores.
About MegaFon OJSC
MegaFon OJSC is a leading Russian universal telecommunication service provider, operating in all segments of the telecommunications markets in Russia. MegaFon was incorporated in June 1993 as CJSC “Northwest GSM” and renamed OJSC “MegaFon” in 2002. MegaFon was the first operator with a network covering all regions of Russia. The Company and its subsidiaries have licenses to operate in all of the Russian regions and in the Republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Tajikistan. The Company was the first in Russia to launch 3G for commercial operations and is currently in the number one position among all operators in the provision of mobile Internet, and in the number two position as to the number of active subscribers in Russia.
In 2009, MegaFon was selected as the Mobile General Partner of the XXII Winter Olympic Games and XI Paralympic Games to be held in Sochi in 2014.
As a result of its acquisition of the Synterra Group, one of the leading Russian backbone operators, in June 2010, MegaFon substantially increased its fixed-line B2B and B2G businesses, as well as its provision of fixed broadband services. In July 2012 MegaFon was awarded one of four ten-year sets of licenses for the provision of 4G/LTE services throughout the entire Russian Federation and, through its MVNO arrangement with Yota, has already started providing these services in 81 towns and cities in 29 different regions. In September 2012 the Company acquired the VAS Media group of companies, which are now being integrated with MegaLabs, its R&D subsidiary. In December 2012 the Company acquired a 25% interest in the Euroset retail chain, the largest chain in Russia providing telecommunications goods and services, along with a requirement to acquire a further 25% within the next three years.
In November 2012 MegaFon successfully completed an initial public offering on the Moscow Stock Exchange and on the London Stock Exchange. As of December 31, 2012, MegaFon has two principal shareholders, companies in the AF Telecom group (50.0% + 100 shares) and the TeliaSonera group (approximately 25.1%), while the remaining shares are held by its CEO, Ivan Tavrin (2.5%) and by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (of which Mr. Tavrin has the right to acquire up to 2.5% at various times prior to 2017).