Just an update. I sent an email to Talkmobile and they replied that Vodafone had introduced content restrictions and that was also probably applied to proxy servers. They weren't aware that Opera Mini was affected. I was asked if I wanted the restriction to be removed. This I did ask for.

Yesterday I received another email saying that the content control and premium info bar would be removed from my account. This would take 7 days.

Today at 11am, I received a text saying that I had full access to the internet. I'd already been told to reboot the phone. This I did and since then it has been full speed ahead using Opera Mini. I've closed and reopened Mini lots of times since and no problems using 3G at all. So the solution is to contact Vodafone or your telco if they use Vodafone's network.

Only passing comment I would say is that it would have been nice to have been notified prior to parental controls (which is what it is) being introduced.

Has anyone come up with a solution? And yes, you could well be right about it being a Vodafone problem. I'm with Talkmobile (owned by Vodafone) and have exactly the same problem. I've also found Mini seems to work fine once and then stops working.

I did a fresh install, even though I'd been using Mini for well over 2 years without any problems up to November on 3G. Next day started Mini again and it just doesn't work on 3G. I've tried this now 3 times and same result each time. Even leaving Opera Mini running doesn't stop it refusing to connect via 3G. At home no problems but then I'm on my Wifi.

Same here - in the UK. Strange to say it works fine on WiFi but on my phone data connection. It is totally screwed. I've used Mini for many many years without major hiccups. I've been trawling for ideas as to what to check next, even updated all the phone settings. Just in case but same result. It just refuses to work and yet everything else (including Opera Mobile) that I have on my phone connects quite happily via its data connection. What gives? I do have a sneaky suspicion what the problem could be and that is the way mini is trying to connect. I am with talkmobile, which runs on the vodafone network. And what icon got downloaded as part of the pre configured speed dial. A Vodafone one. Wonder why that should have happened. Never has before! Currently uninstalled again

Is this an on-going network problem? Still having problems in the UK at around 4pm. I usually use Opera Mini but for the last couple of days I've just had nigh on continuous connection problems. Opera Mobile (and indeed everything else I use for the internet works fine) but then that isn't as fast as Opera Mini.

I've used Opera non stop for years (before Windows 98) and then there was the upgrade to a Chrome look alike. I tried to continue using V12 but on Windows 8.1 it would lock up chronic on my slow line.

So sadly now, FF gets my vote. I've got speed dial, Adblock etc etc and it works just about fine ... just wish it would open tabs like I like them to be opened. Biggest thing I do miss is the old bookmark side bar. The problem I find is that I really did like the old customisation of Opera. I do have Opera on my system but it very rarely gets opened since it failed to upgrade last time around. It was good while it lasted. Yes, the world has moved on.... me too