Otello Corporation
Norwegian technology company formerly known as Opera Software, focused on mobile advertising, digital media, and mobile software.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Otello Corporation, formerly Opera Software ASA, is a Norwegian technology holding and operating company whose business developed from the browser and consumer software activities associated with Opera. After separating and selling the Opera browser and other consumer-facing assets, the company repositioned itself around mobile advertising, digital media infrastructure, subscription-based mobile services, and software supplied to mobile operators, publishers, advertisers, and application users. The company’s corporate history is closely linked to Opera Software, which was established as a holding structure for Opera products and related businesses. Opera became a publicly traded company on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2004. During the following decade, it expanded beyond browser software through acquisitions in advertising technology, mobile application distribution, content optimization, email, virtual private networking, and mobile video. These transactions included AdMarvel, FastMail, Handster, Skyfire, AdColony, and SurfEasy. The acquisitions reflected a strategy of using Opera’s browser reach and mobile technology capabilities to build a broader digital platform serving both consumers and business customers. A major strategic change occurred when the company sold its browser and consumer business, together with the Opera brand, to a consortium of Chinese investors. Regulatory issues prevented the originally contemplated transaction from proceeding in its entirety, so the consumer-facing browser operation was separated and sold while the remaining corporate business continued independently. The residual company adopted the name Otello Corporation, distinguishing it from the separately owned Opera browser business. Otello’s principal operating interests included AdColony, a mobile advertising platform and network; Bemobi, a subscription-oriented mobile application and game discovery service; and Skyfire Labs, whose technologies supported mobile network management, video optimization, and advertising-related services. The company therefore occupied a business-to-business position in the mobile ecosystem, supplying infrastructure and monetization tools rather than competing primarily as a consumer device or software brand. The portfolio subsequently became more focused through divestitures. Opera TV was sold to Moore Frères & Company in 2016 and later operated under the Vewd name. SurfEasy was sold to Symantec in 2017. AdColony, one of the group’s most important advertising assets, was sold to Digital Turbine in 2021. These disposals reduced the operating footprint associated with Otello and marked another stage in the unwinding of the diversified Opera-era portfolio. Public reference material identifies Otello as a Norwegian company with activities in digital advertising and mobile software, but the available information does not establish a complete current operating profile or a definitive present corporate status.
History
Otello Corporation’s origins lie in Opera Software, the Norwegian technology business associated with the Opera web browser. Opera Software was organized as a holding company for Opera products and related activities, and it expanded from browser development into a wider collection of mobile and internet businesses. The company’s public-market history began with its listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange on 11 March 2004. In the mid-2000s, Opera adjusted the commercial model for its browser. In September 2005, it announced that the browser would no longer carry advertising and would become free to users. The company subsequently pursued expansion through acquisitions. AdMarvel, acquired in 2010, added advertising technology. FastMail, an Australian webmail provider, was acquired later in 2010 and subsequently bought back by its employees in 2013. In 2011, Opera acquired Handster, an independent Android application platform, to strengthen the Opera Mobile Store for consumers, operators, and handset manufacturers. Opera’s mobile media strategy developed further through the purchase of Skyfire in 2013. Skyfire brought technologies for mobile video optimization, network management, and related services. In 2014, Opera announced the acquisition of AdColony, seeking to strengthen its mobile video advertising capabilities. The transaction combined an upfront cash payment with potential additional consideration. Opera also acquired SurfEasy in 2015, later integrating its virtual private network service into Opera’s consumer products. The company’s corporate structure changed fundamentally when it separated from the Opera browser and consumer business. A Chinese consortium acquired the consumer-facing browser operation and the Opera brand, although regulatory approval prevented the originally proposed full-company transaction from being completed. The remaining business adopted the name Otello Corporation, signaling its independence from the consumer Opera brand. Otello subsequently managed a portfolio centered on mobile advertising, mobile software, and digital media services. Its subsidiaries and businesses included AdColony, Bemobi, and Skyfire Labs. AdColony operated a mobile advertising platform and network; Bemobi provided subscription-based access and discovery for mobile applications and games; and Skyfire supplied mobile operator technologies involving network management, video optimization, and advertising facilitation. The group also reduced its portfolio through asset sales. Opera TV was sold to Moore Frères & Company in December 2016 and changed its name to Vewd Software in 2017. SurfEasy was sold to Symantec in November 2017. In the same period, AdColony’s chief executive Will Kassoy stepped down and Otello chief executive Lars Boilesen assumed leadership of AdColony. In 2021, Digital Turbine acquired AdColony from Otello for a reported $400 million. The sale represented a significant disposal of one of the group’s central advertising assets. Available reference material does not provide enough information to describe Otello’s complete current operations or confirm its ultimate corporate status after these disposals.
- 2021
AdColony sold to Digital Turbine
[1]Digital Turbine acquired AdColony from Otello for a reported $400 million.
- 2017
SurfEasy sold to Symantec
[1]Otello divested SurfEasy to Symantec in an all-cash transaction.
- 2016
Opera TV divestiture
[1]Control of Opera TV AS was sold to Moore Frères & Company.
- 2015
SurfEasy acquisition
[1]Opera acquired SurfEasy and later incorporated its VPN service into Opera products.
- 2014
AdColony acquisition announced
[1]Opera announced the acquisition of AdColony to expand its mobile video advertising business.
- 2013
Skyfire acquisition
[1]Opera announced its acquisition of Skyfire for mobile video optimization and related operator technologies.
- 2011
Handster acquisition
[1]Opera acquired Handster to strengthen its mobile application store and Android distribution offering.
- 2010
AdMarvel acquisition
[1]Opera acquired AdMarvel, expanding its advertising technology capabilities.
- 2010
FastMail acquisition
[1]Opera acquired Australian webmail provider FastMail.
- 2005
Browser becomes free of advertising
[1]Opera announced that it would remove advertising from its browser and make the product free.
Products and positioning
A Norwegian mobile technology and digital media group serving operators, publishers, advertisers, and application users through advertising, subscription, optimization, and monetization platforms.
Mobile advertising platform
AdColony
AdColony was a mobile advertising platform and network serving advertisers and publishers, with particular emphasis on mobile video advertising. It became part of Opera Software’s expansion beyond browser products and was later operated within Otello’s digital media portfolio. Digital Turbine acquired the business from Otello in 2021.
Mobile application and game subscription service
Bemobi
Bemobi provided subscription-based access to mobile applications and games, including discovery and distribution functions for mobile users. It represented Otello’s interest in recurring mobile content services and operator-oriented digital distribution. The available reference material does not establish its current ownership or operating status.
Mobile network and video optimization software
Skyfire
Skyfire Labs supplied technologies that enabled mobile operators to manage network traffic, optimize video delivery, and support advertising-related services. Opera acquired Skyfire in 2013 because its Rocket Optimizer and related capabilities complemented Opera’s content optimization technology.
Virtual private network service
SurfEasy
SurfEasy was a Canadian VPN business acquired by Opera in 2015. Its VPN service was later integrated into Opera’s consumer software as a free and unlimited feature. Opera sold SurfEasy to Symantec in 2017.
Mobile application distribution
Opera Mobile Store
The Opera Mobile Store distributed mobile applications to consumers and was also positioned for use by mobile operators and handset manufacturers. The acquisition of Handster in 2011 was intended to broaden the store’s Android application selection and platform capabilities.
Brand decisions
2021
Sell AdColony to Digital TurbineM&ABackground
Otello pursued further portfolio reduction after operating AdColony as a major mobile advertising asset.
Action taken
Digital Turbine acquired AdColony from Otello for a reported $400 million.
Aftermath
The transaction removed one of Otello’s principal advertising businesses and further narrowed the group’s operating portfolio.
Reported sale price. $400 million (2021)
2017
Sell SurfEasy to SymantecM&ABackground
Otello continued to reduce or refocus its portfolio after separating from the Opera consumer business.
Action taken
SurfEasy was sold to Symantec for $38.5 million in cash.
Aftermath
Symantec released most of the consideration at closing and retained the balance in escrow for a limited period.
Reported sale price. $38.5 million (2017)
2016
Sell Opera TVM&ABackground
The company was streamlining the portfolio surrounding its browser-era businesses.
Action taken
Control of Opera TV AS was sold to Moore Frères & Company.
Aftermath
The business changed its name to Vewd Software AS in 2017 and was later acquired by Xperi in 2022.
2014
Acquire AdColony to expand mobile video advertisingM&ABackground
Opera wanted to strengthen its mobile advertising and video monetization capabilities.
Action taken
Opera agreed to acquire AdColony for $75 million in cash plus potential earn-out payments of up to $275 million.
Aftermath
AdColony became a central asset in the group’s mobile advertising portfolio before its later sale to Digital Turbine.
Upfront consideration and potential earn-out. $75 million cash plus potential earn-out of up to $275 million (2014)
2013
Acquire Skyfire for mobile optimization technologyM&ABackground
Opera sought to extend its content optimization capabilities and improve its position with mobile operators.
Action taken
Opera announced the acquisition of Skyfire for $155 million.
Aftermath
Skyfire became part of the group’s mobile operator and video optimization portfolio.
Reported acquisition price. $155 million (2013)
2005
Make the Opera browser free and remove advertisingOtherBackground
Opera Software changed the commercial model for its browser during a period when the company was seeking broader consumer adoption.
Action taken
The company announced that advertising would be removed from the browser and that users would no longer need to pay for the product.
Aftermath
The decision helped define Opera’s free browser distribution model, although the reference material does not provide quantified results.
Recent events
- 2021
AdColony is sold to Digital Turbine[1]
M&A
Digital Turbine acquired AdColony from Otello in a transaction reported at $400 million.
- 2005
Opera removes browser advertising and makes the browser free[1]
Pricing
Opera announced that it would remove advertising from its browser and distribute it free of charge.
- 2004
Opera Software lists on the Oslo Stock Exchange[1]
Other
Opera Software became a publicly traded company on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker OPERA.
Opera agrees to sell its consumer browser business[1]
M&A
The company sold its browser and consumer business, along with the Opera brand, to a Chinese investor consortium after the broader proposed transaction encountered regulatory obstacles.
Sources2 sources
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