Opera Max 'App Pass' Feature Lets Operators Provide Free Access to Apps

Norway's Opera, whose browser software has helped mobile operators sign up millions of users for free or low-cost Internet access, said on Tuesday it is introducing features that lets operators offer subscribers free access to selected apps.

Opera, maker of a Web browser that is popular among mobile phone users in developing markets, said its new Opera Max App Pass feature will soon also allow advertisers to offer phone users sponsored or paid passes for using mobile apps.

The App Pass feature is being tested by Telenor in some Asian markets, says Opera.

In addition, many of the top handset makers in emerging markets have agreed to pre-load the Opera Max free data feature on their latest phone models, Opera said.

These include Samsung Electronics, Micromax, Mobistel, Evercoss, and Tecno, it said.

The company on its Opera Max page describes the new App Pass feature.

Operators are even able to offer free, sponsored or low-cost access to selected apps, thanks to Opera Max with App Pass. App Pass lets operators present offers to users when they open any app on their phones. With two clicks, users can gain free access to the data that app consumes via Opera Max: they can then return to the app knowing that any data consumed while using it will be zero-rated for the duration of the App Pass.

Written with inputs from Reuters