Oslo, Norway – May 22, 2006
Opera Software and Japan’s largest 3G operator, KDDI, today announced that Opera Software’s Mobile browser will be shipped on five new mobile phones in KDDI’s featured summer series. Opera Mobile has previously been included on five KDDI models in 2006, including the recently announced, WiFi-enabled Sanyo E02SA. With the inclusion of KDDI’s summer series, Opera Mobile will have been a key application on ten KDDI 3G handsets so far in 2006.
The Opera Mobile browser will be included on the following BREW-based devices for KDDI’s summer series: Sanyo W33SA II, Sony-Ericsson W42S, Casio W42CA, Hitachi W42H and Toshiba W44T. This follows the announcement of the Opera Mobile browser so far in 2006 on the Hitachi W41H, Casio W41CA, Sony-Ericsson W41S, Toshiba W43T and Sanyo E02SA.
“We recognize that our users demand a superior product that offers them an unsurpassed browsing experience,” says Hiroyuki Sakaniwa, Group Leader, Application Platform Group, Product Management Department, “au” Service & Product Planning Division “au” Business Sector, KDDI. “That is why we have selected the Opera Mobile browser.”
The new summer series handsets will include enhanced browser features such as a password manager, portal search directly from the UI, and performance improvements. The Sanyo E02SA, will be the first mobile device from KDDI designed specifically for corporate clients and can be used both as a telephone for making calls using VoIP, and as a mobile phone.
“The Japanese market is setting the standard for mobile technology,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “KDDI’s commitment to continue to include Opera on their new handsets is a testament to KDDI’s focus on quality.”
The 3G network in Japan is growing steadily with approximately 40 million subscribers. With 2G being phased out of the Japanese market, Opera recognizes the demand for its advanced browsing solutions to enable advanced 3G Web services.