OSLO, Norway-Opera Software announced the worldwide release of its Web browser for Java-enabled mobile phones.
Opera Mini, which can be downloaded free from the company’s Web site, uses a proxy server to format traditional Internet content for small screens-thereby bypassing the need for WAP technology. The global launch follows trials in several European countries late last year that netted more than 1 million users, Opera said.
“We’ve never believed in WAP,” said Opera spokesman Eskil Sivertsen. “I think it will take some time, probably, before people start realizing that WAP is basically just a walled garden with limited content you can give your subscribers, when they could have the full Internet at their fingertips.”
The software developer was created by Norwegian telecommunications provider Telenor in 1994 before launching as Opera Software ASA last year. Opera also offers Web-browsing software for PCs and smart phones.
While the company is increasingly targeting mobile users, Sivertsen said Opera will continue to hone its PC offerings.
“The desktop is going to continue to be extremely important to us,” he said. “We think we’re the only company who can do this, because we’re truly cross-platform.”
