Mobile providers processed record SMS traffic over the New Year`s Eve weekend.
According to media relations manager Ravin Maharaj, MTN recorded 60 million SMSes over this period. The figure for the same period last year was 24 million, indicating a more than 100% increase in traffic, Maharaj says.
Cell C also recorded a high increase in SMS traffic, with over 16 million SMSes being sent. A media statement from the company notes that 83 000 MMSes were sent through Cell C`s network during the same period.
MTN says it carried 1.4 billion voice calls over the festive season, an increase from 1.1 billion at the end of 2004. MTN South Africa also acquired its 10 millionth subscriber during the same period.
Vodacom also noted a significant increase in voice communication during Christmas and New Year.
"A similar trend was noted in the number of SMS messages sent during Christmas and New Year when compared to the previous year. MMS messages also showed strong growth during the period," says Vodacom in a statement.
The company increased its network capacity over Christmas and New Year to accommodate the increase in network traffic.
Vodacom earlier announced a new record in subscriber acquisition with more than one million new clients in December 2005.
"This tremendous growth pegs Vodacom`s South African subscriber base at 17.5 million, placing Vodacom as the fastest growing network within the Vodafone global stable," it says.
The company adds that the growth is a strong indication of the optimism in and buoyancy of the South African economy as it enters 2006.
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