Telstra predicts Christmas SMS will “break records” again

By Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 23 December 2008 05:41

Opinion and Analysis

No doubt set to issue a similar statement for New Year’s Eve SMS text messages, Telstra says that Christmas Day SMS text messaging and video calling will break all previous records. Telstra is also taking the opportunity to plug its Next G network, BigPond digital media products and showcase how many staff it will have on hand to help on Christmas day, all of whom are presumably getting paid a lot to postpone their Christmas to December 26.

Will you be sending an SMS message or making a video call on Christmas Day? Chances are, you will, although I’m sure there’ll be a lot of free Skype video calls on Christmas Day, too.

Still, not everyone has a computer or even uses Skype, but plenty of people have 2G phones that can send and receive text messages, and plenty of people have 3G phones that can make video calls, with Christmas Day one of the ideal times to make use of video call capabilities.

But first, onto SMS text messages. Telstra forecasts that its customers alone will send “more than 46 million text messages across the nation on Christmas Day” – and presumably tens of millions more will be sent via the 3 Mobile, Optus and Vodafone networks.
 
Telstra’s Executive Director of its Consumer division, Jenny Young, said that “on top of text message records tumbling, Telstra expects more than 41 million phone calls to be carried on Telstra’s network, while customers will send 700,000 picture messages and enjoy video calls with loved ones as they open presents and tuck into Christmas lunch.
 
“Text messaging continues to grow in popularity and is an easy way to wish friends and colleagues a Merry Christmas. We’re expecting more than 46 million text messages to be sent, a 35 per cent increase over last Christmas and double the number sent on a normal day.
 
“Telstra customers will share their excitement with those who can’t be there in person with 700,000 picture messages expected to be sent to family and friends, up 40 per cent on last year.
 
“The use of video calling is also rising with tens of thousands of video calls to be made on Christmas Day. While it’s easier to share the spirit with video calling, remember it’s harder to hide your surprise when receiving the obligatory socks and handkerchiefs from loved ones.
 
“We’re also expecting more than 31 million mobile calls to be carried on Telstra’s network.  And more Australians are now taking advantage of the Next G network which is even larger and faster than last year.”

Ms Young’s comments continue on page 2, as do details of Telstra’s Christmas deals, along with a list of “recommended times for calling loved ones overseas”. Please read on!