Norway's Opera is new default on some Microsoft phones

Norwegian software maker Opera has done a deal with Microsoft to take over browser building at its Nokia mobile phone unit. Opera Mini, with its useful compression technology, will become the default browser on Series 30+, Series 40 and Asha software platforms. Those using the current Express browser will be encouraged to upgrade.

Opera says it currently has 250 million users globally, 100 million of these on Android phones.

"We have signed a strategic licensing deal with Microsoft...taking over the browser building department in Nokia," says Opera CEO Lars Boilsesen. "This means that Opera Mini will become the default browser for Microsoft's feature phone product lines and the Asha phones product lines."