| TEXT MANIA CONTINUES IN 2003 |
24/02/03 |
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For Immediate Release : Monday 24 February 03
Conditions Of Use : MDA to be credited as source.
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| Text messages sent each month in the UK reached an all time high in January according to figures released today by The Mobile Data Association (MDA). The total number of chargeable person-to-person text messages sent across the four UK GSM networks in January 2003 totalled 1.65 billion. January's figure takes the daily average to 53 million compared to 45 million in January 2002 and 30 million in January 2001. |
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TEXT MESSAGING GROWTH (SMS) UK GSM NETWORK OPERATOR TOTALS
June 1998 - January 2003
2003 has already seen text messaging usage soar and daily record's broken. On New Year's Day 102 million messages were sent, compared to 64 million sent in the previous year, Valentines Day saw 78 million messages sent compared to 57.5 million in 2002. For the year ahead the MDA forecasts continued growth with text messaging expected to reach 20 billion for 2003, equating to 55 million messages per day compared to an average of 43 million for 2002. The MDA will monitor the situation with a monthly statistics review every month the MDA will post the numbers along with a reconsidered forecast for the 2003 figures on its website www.text.it.
If you thought text messaging was just for the younger generation, then think again! The Mobile Data Association (MDA), (www.mda-mobiledata.org) has found the country's oldest texter.
Betty Turner, a 78-year old great-grandmother from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, has been discovered to be text mad! She regularly uses text messages as a way to communicate with her children and grandchildren, claiming it to be a fun and personal way to keep in touch. For more information about Betty's story go to the 'mediacentre' section of www.text.it., a definitive text messaging information site www.text.it/mediacentre.
For more information on how to use tools such as predictive texting, or advice for the grown-up user, go to the 'how to text' section www.text.it/how and 'grown ups' section www.text.it/grownups. |
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- A total of 1.65 billion texts were sent person-to-person throughout January 2003.
- July 2002 marked the launch of Phase 3 of the MDA's generic awareness campaign to promote the advantages of text messaging across all networks, building on the awareness of the 'text.it' brand established in Phase 1 & 2. 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 four 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.mda-mobiledata.org or the Text It Campaign web site at www.text.it
- Mike Short, MDA Chairman and Vice President of O2 is available for comment.
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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 |
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