| October sees a new high for text messaging |
24/11/06 |
|
For Immediate Release : Friday 24 November 06
Conditions Of Use : MDA to be credited as source.
|
|
| The number of text messages sent during October reached 3.8 billion, according to figures released today by the Mobile Data Association (MDA). The latest total is 100 million more than the previous record achieved in September this year, and up almost 27 % on the total for October 2005.
|
 |
|
In the run-up to Christmas, the nation’s texters have plenty to keep them busy. As well as gossiping about the latest goings-on in the ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ jungle or the X-Factor studio, text messaging will prove invaluable over the festive period for arranging parties and suggesting presents. Waitrose are offering text messaging ingredients to your phone for Christmas recipes, which can be used as a reminder whilst out shopping. Mobile users can even have Santa send loved ones a series of personalised text messages - sign up at www.santa.co.uk for 3 'Merry Textmas Messages' to let your children know, for example, that he has left the North Pole on schedule and of any delays that might slow his journey.
For the past seven years the MDA’s messaging website, Text.it (www.text.it), has witnessed text messaging grow from a popular craze to becoming second nature as an essential communication tool for mobile phone users. The full statistics of this text message explosion and monthly figure releases can be found at:
http://www.text.it/mediacentre/press_release_list.cfm. |
|
  |
 |
- Prior to October 2006, the highest ever total of text messages recorded was 3.7 billion in September 2006.
- 6th December 2005, the Mobile Data Association (MDA) forecast that text messaging figures would rise to deliver an annual total of 36.5 billion text messages for 2006. This estimate was revised in August 2006 to 40 billion.
- May 2006 marked the launch of Phase 7 of the MDA’s generic awareness campaign to promote the advantages of text messaging across all networks, and provide a current information service through the text.it website for both consumers and business users. The consumer campaign targets both users and non-SMS users. The corporate programme focuses on business end-users and incorporates a web-based information service.
- The Mobile Data Association (MDA) was established in 1994 to increase awareness of mobile data amongst users and their advisers. The MDA acts as a focal point for its members, (vendors and users) and outside parties interested in knowing more about the industry
- The MDA announces the total number of chargeable person-to-person text messages sent on behalf of the UK GSM Network operators. These figures are announced in the third week of the following month. For further information visit the MDA website at www.themda.org or the Text It Campaign web site at www.text.it
- Mike Short, MDA Chairman is available for comment.
|
|
|
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Mark Hawkins at the MDA Press Office :
Tel: +44 (0) 7949 023795
email: mark.hawkins@themda.org
www.text.it |
|
