The the first official picture messaging figures released by the Mobile Data Association (MDA)  show that 88 million picture (MMS) messages were sent throughout the UK during the third quarter of 2006. The monthly total for October was the highest yet, at 30 million MMS messages.
The MDA revealed earlier this year that over half of the UKs phones are picture-capable, and as the number of people using camera phones grows, more and more users are realising the full potential of their handsets by sending and receiving the photographs they take.
Earlier this year, the MDA launched a Picture Messaging Campaign to encourage people to get started with picture messaging, which includes the publishing of generic how to information on the MDAs messaging website. Users can find information on how to set up their phones to send and receive picture messages, troubleshooting tips, FAQs, and links to online photo libraries and mobile blog sites on the Picture Messaging section of the site. A questionnaire designed to establish attitudes towards MMS is also available, the results of which will lead to the development of further user-led advice.
Separately, the MDA says that text messaging is on target for a record 2006. The 3.8 billion text messages sent in November takes the annual total so far this year to 37 billion messages. Person-to-person texts sent across the UK GSM network operators in November show an increase of 1 billion on the total sent during November 2005.  Novembers total represents an average of 126 million text messages currently sent per day in the UK.
With the festive season in full swing, many companies are using SMS to help ensure their customers Christmas plans run smoothly. Woolworths, for example, is using text messages to alert customers that presents and other goods ordered are available to be picked up.
“Yet again text messaging shows that its the most effective communication tool in use currently says Andrew Cowles from Kapow! which is providing the service. The use of simple technology like this has a hugely positive and positively disproportional effect compared with the cost and effort on customer impact. For detailed stats on the text message explosion, click here.