1 billion text messages sent in Britain per week
Rushda:
November 5th, 2007
Recent studies into the rapidly increasing use of mobiles has revealed that, on average, Britons send 1,000,000,000 text messages in a single week. Indeed, according to figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA), roughly 4,000 text messages are sent every second. The total over a week is 25% more than a year ago and in fact now totals the same amount as sent in an entire year in 1999. This leaves one only to wonder what will happen in future.
When asked what accounted for the popularity of text messages, head of MDA Mike Short said:
“It’s convenient, comprehensive, it’s on every handset and network and it is cost effective.”
It is easy to forget how we used to manage without it, as text messaging has now become an integral part of many people’s lives. It really is convenient for all those things that you want to say that don’t warrant having an entire conversation. Furthermore, the study also found that text messaging is fast becoming popular in businesses as well as a way of contacting lots of employees at once. As Mr Short explains:
“It’s a lot more convenient for a business now to notify lots of their employees about an urgent message using a text message.”
The UK now “sits within the top 6 of the global league of countries sending text messages,” and it is no surprise why. We live in a fast world where constant ability to communicate is key - whether it be mass texting within companies or short notes to a friend to say you will be late. Though text messaging may not be the most elegant or romantic form of communication (espclly whn typng lik tis), no one can deny how useful it can be.