Record number of text messages on New Year's Eve

A record number of text messages were sent on New Year's Eve as mobile phone users turned to modern technology to relay their festive greetings.

Virtual hugs and kisses were the order of the day as the new year was ushered in, with the two mobile phone service providers - Go Mobile and Vodafone - saying that "hundreds of thousands" of messages were sent on Tuesday night.

Neither of the two operators contacted yesterday would, however, reveal the total number of text messages sent for what they described as "commercial reasons".

Go Mobile media relations executive Franco Aloisio said that messaging peaked at around midnight, with a flood of messages accompanying the more traditional popping of champagne corks lasting until at least 1 a.m.

Mr Aloisio said the system managed to cope with the overwhelming demand even though the number of Go Mobile customers now exceeds 100,000.

He added that the mobile phone well-wishing continued as people crawled out of bed on New Year's Day.

Vodafone marketing communications executive Deborah Vassallo said text message traffic on New Year's Eve was three times higher than the usual rate.

"This a record, and much higher than previous years' figures," Ms Vassallo said.

However, she denied that the Vodafone system collapsed on New Year's Eve even though many users complained of problems.

"Due to the abnormally high number of attempts to send text messages, some congestion was created for a short period of time during which some users experienced message failure.

"Voice calls were only affected in areas where there was a high concentration of people. Compared with other countries, Vodafone Malta's system overload was minimal."

Vodafone customers have already sent "well over" 100 million messages since the service was launched in October 2000.

The cost of sending a message on the local networks - two and three cents for Go Mobile and Vodafone respectively - is among the cheapest in Europe.

Many people also decided to dump the traditional Christmas card in favour of a seasonal text message to convey their good wishes for the festive period.

A recent international study revealed that although middle-aged people were continuing to take to the internet, the popularity of mobile devices and text messaging is eclipsing internet usage among Europeans aged 15 to 25.

The study also found that more people use text messages than e-mail or any other internet application in Europe's four most populated countries.