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SMS WhatsApp

Whatsapp leapfrogs traditional text messaging in popularity

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By John Glenday | Reporter

March 27, 2015 | 1 min read

Free messaging service Whatsapp has crossed a significant milestone after people sent more messages using its system than traditional text messaging for the first time in history during the first half of last year – a trend which has since accelerated.

Data compiled by The Economist showed that 30bn Whatsapp messages were being sent every day by the end of last year, far more than the 20bn text messages sent each day.

The crossover signals the long-term decline of text messaging as the go to service for quick communication as consumers seek out value for money by utilising their smartphone’s data connection rather than voice networks.

Exponential growth in the wider messaging app industry saw 69 trillion messages issued last year, compared with just 27.4 trillion in 2013, according to research company Ovum.

Consumers gain is mobile operators loss however with analysts expecting telecoms providers to lose as much as $54bn in revenue as a result of the shift.

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