More than 50 billion SMS text messages were sent to GSM wireless phones in the first three months of 2001, according to the GSM Association. Considering the popularity of text messaging globally it is predicted that the number of SMS messages sent per month will pass 25 billion by December 2001, up from over 16 billion per month in early 2001, and 1 billion per month in April 1999.
“The continuing growth demonstrates that the popularity of SMS is not down to a passing trend,” says Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association. “Texting is now achieving mass market status in many markets of the world. Today the visual message is as powerful and popular as voice.”
“The continued success of SMS is down to a wide range of factors,” he adds, “Primarily because it is a universally available service and the ubiquity of GSM handsets on offer globally. Other key factors in SMS’ success include Inter-working between networks and roaming agreements, a host of lifestyle applications coming on stream – where it’s clear that ‘culture is king’ – in addition to competitive pricing – with pre-pay SMS and attractive promotion strategies.”
The strongest market in the world continues to be Germany, where six billion SMS messages were sent in Q1 2001. In the UK customers generated 3.5 billion text messages in the first four months of 2001, reaching a total 900 million in April alone
Developments in services and handsets are expected to boost the popularity of SMS messages further as screens become bigger and functionality improves.
