Opera has introduced the Opera Max, a free VPN app that helps Android users in Africa manage and save data on streaming video, audio and photo-rich apps through both mobile and Wi-Fi connections.
Opera Max is currently billed as the best solution for new Netflix viewers across Africa as it saves data on HTTPS videos without any significant loss in quality. It even reduces buffering on any connection, including crowded Wi-Fi networks. The data-saving technology can extend data plans by up to 50 per cent for free.
Access to the internet can improve lives and entertain and research shows that internet usage are correlated with higher growth in per capital GDP. However, due to high data costs and slow, congested networks, using the internet and its associated benefits may often be out of reach. Smartphone adoption in Africa has doubled over the last two years though data indicates that many people aren’t using their smartphones to their full capabilities due to the cost of data remaining prohibitively high.
Opera has been pioneering advanced compression technology for years. The famous Opera Mini browser is still Africa’s favourite browser and continues to increase its user base in Africa by tens of millions every year. Opera Mini users on Android have increased by over 70 per cent over the past year and in 2015 Opera Mini gave Africans over half a billion US$ in data savings, thanks to its compression technology.
As part of the announcement, Sergey Lossev, Product Manager for Opera Max will host an online press conference on Thursday February 4th at 2pm GMT (Time converter).Lossev will takes us through the product and shares brand new data and information on Africa’s browsing habits and favourite apps.
Journalists interested in participating in the session will be able to ask questions live via the internet. To participate, register on this link.
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