Do you favour text messaging over voice call?

The latest International Communications Market Report from Ofcom has been making a bit of a stir within the telecom industry.  Its survey of some 5,600 consumers in six major countries (including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the USA) has found for the first time that some of us are more likely to use our mobile phones for non-voice purposes (i.e., text messaging) rather than making voice calls.  Ofcom’s survey found that SMS usage levels ranged from a low of 64% (in the US) to a high of 86% (in Australia).  Conversely, voice calls ranged from a low of 68% (in Italy) to a high of 80% (in Germany).  The report found that on a per capita basis these countries had an average SMS usage level of 71.52%, while the usage figures  for voice calls was slightly lower at 71.48%.  So, it seems that while we may call it a mobile “phone” some of us are just as likely (if not more so) to use it for text messaging ignoring its voice capabilities.

Plus, if you consider that SMS usage is rampant in the developing world (thanks in part to its low cost) there probably is a strong case to say that text messaging is more popular amongst mobile phone users worldwide, rather than voice calls.

Now I certainly fall into the primary user of SMS camp, as far as my mobile usage is concerned. Not only is this less expensive, but I find it easier. And, I certainly find that people tend to respond more quickly to a text message, though the same can’t be said of a voice message. If I am in a rush (as is often the case) a short text message is ideal and saves me from the "small talk" that you often get with a phone call. But perhaps the best thing about SMS is that it isn't as disruptive as phone call. The receiver can read and respond to the text when it suits them…it's a bit more considerate, if you will.

Given its undying popularity, I’d say that the future still looks bright for text messaging.