A record number of texts were sent in 2004, with mobile messaging hitting the 26 billion mark, breaking the previous yearly forecast of 25 billion, according to new data published by the Mobile Data Association (MDA).
December saw text messaging reach an all time high, with the total number of texts sent reaching 2.4 billion, delivering the highest monthly total ever recorded. Person-to-person texts sent across the UK last month increased by 26% year on year, with 78 million messages being sent per day. This is the highest average daily figure ever recorded.
Prior to December 2004, the highest ever monthly total of text messages recorded was in October 2004, when 2.3 billion were sent.
The MDA has predicted a strong 2005 for text message growth, forecasting that text messaging figures will rise to deliver an annual total of 30 billion messages in 2005 (see Record Mobile Usage Set To Continue Next Year).
The MDA also announced the first ever collaboration between the UK’s main mobile operators in aid of the Asian tsunami, with 3 Mobile, Orange, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone offering customers the chance to donate tax-free to the disaster relief fund by texting ‘Donate’ to 83321.
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