Amsterdam-based VimpelCom Ltd has extended its partnership with Opera Software. VimpelCom is one of the biggest integrated telecommunications service operators worldwide, with 219 million mobile subscribers as of September 30, 2013. Based in Norway, Opera's products allow over 350 million internet consumers around the world to discover and link with the content and services that are important to them using any device or network.

In a statement, VimpelCom said the extended partnership will provide it with a comprehensive mobile internet engagement and framework for monetization that can work with feature phones, smartphones and other mobile devices. This will allow VimpelCom to take care of the needs of its mobile internet customers by allowing them to make purchases of mobile data and digital goods with just one click through their mobile account or by enhancing their user's mobile video experience.

In addition, the new framework will also allow VimpelCom to have access to the whole portfolio of Opera's mobile internet products, the statement said. These include Opera Web Pass, Skyfire Rocket Optimizer, Horizon and Opera Max that will be launched this year.

The most recent deal is part of the thrust of VimpelCom to give its customers the best mobile internet experience. It harmonizes with its existing alliances with WhatsApp, Wikimedia, Google Play and Windows Phone stores that enable smartphone customers of Vimpelcom to pay for digital content through their mobile accounts, the statement said.

VimpelCom Group Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer Mikhail Gerchuk said in the statement, "Every day, millions of VimpelCom customers worldwide benefit from the fast mobile internet in a convenient and cost-effective way using their VimpelCom Opera Mini browser. By extending our strategic partnership with Opera we will bring an improved mobile Internet experience to all our customers. With VimpelCom Web Pass we are introducing to our customers the most convenient way to find and purchase mobile data bundles and content using their mobile account. We now have a strong toolkit which enables us to deliver the best mobile Internet customer experience while managing the explosion of mobile data traffic in our networks."