So Opera Does Have a Carrier Deal After All

Anyone remember the rumor about Opera planning a major U.S. carrier deal? That was the word on the street, but it dried up faster than the rain here in Vegas. In fact, I had read that Opera was denying any such deal. Turns out, there is a deal after all, but as far as it being with a “major” U.S. carrier, well… you make the call.

The deal is with Virgin Mobile USA, which at only around 5 million subscribers at the end of last year isn’t who I had in mind when I first heard about this possbility. Regardless, it is a win for Opera; it just remains to be seen how much of one. Initially, Opera Mini will be a download on select handsets through the VirginXL storefront, and eventually the excellent brower will come pre-installed on some devices. Eight handsets are the intial target starting April 14, including the the Samsung Slash, the Arc, Shuttle and Super Slice. Looks like Om is right: Opera isn’t down or out just yet when it comes to mobile browsing.