SMS users in UK sent almost 1.7 billion messsages during July 2003

The Mobile Data Association (MDA) announced that the total number of chargeable person-to-person text messages sent across the four UK GSM networks in July 2003 totalled 1.68 billion, compared to 1.3 billion in July 2002 and 992 million in July 2001. July's figure takes the cumulative total for 2003 to 11.6 Billion, against a 12 month MDA forecast for the year of 20 Billion, which allows for Summer slowdown and seasonal trends.

A text count that took place on 'A' Level results day, 14th August, saw a rise in the daily average to 67 million, compared to 55 million sent last year. "Text messaging is continuing to rise in popularity and diversity", comments Mike Short, Chairman of the MDA. "As well as person to person text messaging we are seeing an increase in interactive text with programmes such as Fame Academy and Pop Idol providing people with the opportunity to vote via a short code across all networks".