Opera partners MediaTek on 'smart feature phones'

Closes deal to put its Opera Mini browser in chipset maker's middleware.

Taiwan-based MediaTek provides semiconductors to a huge number of OEMs in emerging markets, and not just in phones but in high-definition TV, optical storage, and DVD and Blu-ray products. It shipped over 500 million units in 2010.

MediaTek will now pre-load Opera Mini into the runtime environment that lets app developers make content for “smart-feature-phones”.

These kinds of devices, made by local manufacturers such as India's MicroMax, are regarded as the key to bringing rich content to a vast new user base in India, China and elsewhere.

“MediaTek and Opera Software share the same vision. We both want people to access the Web on their own terms,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software.

“The MRE solution makes the traditional feature phone smarter and, at the same time, delivers the best user experience. Opera Mini makes the Web an enjoyable experience regardless of bandwidth. We look forward to seeing the next billion people to surf with Opera Mini on MRE-powered phones.”