SMS Text Messaging continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Once an exclusively European phenomenon, Text Messaging has taken off in the United States in a big way. How big? Check out these facts and figures:

The Market Today
In the United States there are currently over 250 Million wireless subscribers.

As of June 2007, there are 28.8 Billion Text Messages sent per month in the US. That works out to an annualized rate of 240.8 Billion Text Messages. (CTIA)

In August 2007, 92.5 million, or 43 percent, of mobile subscribers actively engaged in text messaging. Of these 92.5 million mobile subscribers, 41 million send text messages almost every day. (Forbes)

According to M:Metrics, 15% of all U.S. wireless customers sent photo messages in October 2006. (CTIA)

Market research has attributed 52% of mobile content consumption in the U.S. to Hispanic wireless users.  (CTIA)

Interesting Facts
Available to more than 93% of mobile subscribers, Wireless AMBER Alerts is an initiative that allows wireless subscribers to opt in to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts as free text messages on their cell phones. (CTIA)

The Basics
SMS Definition - SMS was originally defined as part of the GSM series of standards in 1985 as a means of sending messages of up to 160 characters, to and from GSM mobile handsets.

Mobile Marketing
Right Now - According to industry estimates, well over one billion dollars will be spent on mobile advertising globally in 2007, and by all accounts the mobile advertisingmarket is poised for exponential growth over the next several years.