FALLS CHURCH, Va.-More than 430 billion mobile messages were sent worldwide during 2002, according to a new report from Telecom Trends International. More than 580 million users sent the messages.
In 2002, 95 percent of messaging users used text-based messaging, 4 percent of users opted for enhanced messaging service and advanced short messaging service, while 1 percent used multimedia messaging service.
TTI said by 2008, A-SMS will have the biggest share of the messaging market with 38 percent, followed by basic SMS with 34 percent and MMS with 28 percent of users. Globally, MMS will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 154.8 percent during the next six years, the company said. However, MMS will still lag behind SMS and advanced SMS during that timeframe.
“Until now, services such as SMS were local or regional in scope,” said Naqi Jaffery. “However, now they are extending beyond national borders, creating a true global village.”
