Opera unveils turbo-charged browsing at Mobile World Congress 2009

Oslo, Norway and Barcelona, Spain – February 12, 2009

Just when you thought browsing couldn't get any faster, Opera unveils its latest innovation for better browsing, Opera Turbo. This all-new, turbo-charged way to surf will make its exclusive appearance at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 16-19, 2009.

To be available for business customers on Opera Desktop, Opera Mobile and Opera Devices SDK, Opera Turbo compresses bandwidth consumption. By processing data being sent to a mobile phone or a PC by up to 80 percent, operators will be able to reduce network traffic and save on data transmissions. This helps to extend the longevity of their mobile network investments. For device manufacturers, Opera Turbo provides a faster browsing application that can leverage device capabilities and utilize hardware resources more effectively. By leveraging Opera Turbo, operators and OEMs can provide a faster browsing experience to their end-users, independent of network constraints or hardware limitations.

Due to Opera Turbo's advanced compression technology, even devices with limited hardware capabilities show improved page download rates and better overall performance. By leveraging its experience with server-side optimization solutions such as Opera Mini, Opera Software is extending optimization to encompass other Opera browser products. Opera Turbo is able to reduce the size of the transferred page without transcoding the page. Opera Turbo offers full support for dynamic Web technologies such as Ajax and Flash - these are not compressed by Opera Turbo.

Opera Turbo supports Opera's belief in "One Web", providing equal access to the Internet regardless of the device or network quality. Opera has focused on a way to improve performance and the overall speed of its browser under any condition, whether surfing from a limited mobile phone in a remote location or with an early model desktop computer on a dial-up modem. To Opera, One Web means being able to take the one true Web and make it available to people on their own terms. Opera believes that circumstances should not dictate how its browser performs, and Opera Turbo is a way to ensure the best browsing possible anytime, anywhere.

"We are living in a time and place where access to the Web should be a universal right to all. Technology has advanced us to the point that we can very nearly access the Internet anytime and anywhere from a growing number of devices," said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "As part of Opera's commitment to provide the best experience on any device, Opera has developed the Opera Turbo solution. The Mobile World Congress serves as a forum for us to educate others on the wonders of Web technology."

See it to believe it at Opera's Mobile World Congress exhibit (Hall 2, Stand 2B77). Mobile World Congress participants will also have the ability to experience Opera on a variety of devices: Opera Mobile on smartphones such as HTC HD, Samsung Omnia and Sony Ericsson Xperia, free downloads of Opera Mini, improved Web browsing on gaming consoles and the ARCHOS Generation 5 Media players will be just a few of the exciting features of Opera's 2009 exhibit.

Mobile World Congress will be held from 16th to 19th February in 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Visit the Opera Booth in Hall 2, 2B77. For media inquiries, please contact julies[at]opera.com

More information on Opera Turbo is available Opera Turbo white paper - PDF (2.6MB).

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 300 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Our vision of one web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.