Research from accounting firm Deloitte has revealed that the number of text messages sent in the UK last year has dropped by seven billion to 145 billion.
Although the standard messaging service (SMS ) has fallen out of favour, the growing number of smartphone owners means instant messaging apps, such as Whatsapp and Snapchat, have grown in popularity with the report claiming 160 billion instant messages sent in Britain last year. It’s estimated that this figure will grow to 300 billion by the end of 2014.
Commenting on the trends, Paul Lee, head of telecoms research at Deloitte, said: “This is the first decline in texting in the UK since texting was invented. We have reached a tipping point. But the usage of mobile phones to send messages is stronger than ever. This year, trillions of instant messages will be sent in place of a text message.”
Deloitte’s annual technology predictions report will be released tomorrow.
