All time high for text messaging in UK

The Mobile Data Association (MDA) today announced that the total number of chargeable person-to-person text messages sent across the four UK GSM networks reached 1.8 billion during October 2003. October’s figure is the highest monthly total reported since the MDA began collating data on behalf of the UK network operators in 1998.

The UK daily average figure for October stands at 58.5 million, compared to 50 million in October 2002 and 38 million in October 2001. The cumulative figure for 2003 has already overtaken the 2002 total, which was 16 billion. October’s figures takes the cumulative total for 2003 to 16.8 billion, against a 12 month MDA forecast for the year of 20 billion, allowing for seasonal trends.