Opera Software ASA has signed a partnership with technology giant Microsoft to make Opera Mini the default Internet browser on Asha and Microsoft's feature phones.

The licensing agreement includes devices based on the Asha software platforms, Series 30+ and Series 40.

But since Microsoft intends to stop making the majority of the devices by the end of 2015, the agreement isn't very beneficial to Opera, which is based in Oslo, Norway.

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The decision was made by Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella who also said the company would let go of almost two-thirds, or 18,000 employees, at the Nokia mobile division it acquired in April for US$7.2 billion before the year ends.

Users of the Series 30+ and Series 40 that use the current default browser, Xpress, will be instructed to download and use Opera Mini instead.

A spokesperson from Opera said it will notify its users in October. Various product lines will receive notifications at different dates and users will get support from Opera as they transfer to its browsers until December. The present default browser will enter its maintenance mode until it will be permanently shut down in December.

Opera's mobile browser, the Opera Mini, has more than 100 million Android device users and a total of 250 million users.

 "We continue to sell and support classic first and feature phones as well as the Asha range, which have performed well with millions of people who want new mobile experiences at lower price points," said Rich Bernardo, head of legacy business phones at Microsoft.

"The agreement with Opera will enable us to provide continuity of service as we transition from Xpress Browser to Opera Mini." 

TagsAsha, Nokia, Opera