Free smartphone services threatening to send 'text messaging' into oblivion: Analysts

Singapore, June 27 (ANI): Text messaging, the simple telecommunication service that turned into a global phenomenon, is under threat from free smartphone services and operators need to find alternative revenue streams, analysts have said.

The short message service, or SMS has been a key cash generator for operators, while offering users a cheap way to keep in touch with friends and family and avoid the expense of voice calls.

However, analysts have claimed that the surge in internet-enabled smartphones in recent years has led to the rise of free voice, video and text messaging applications that are threatening to send SMS into oblivion,News24, reports.

According to the figures of the technology research firm Ovum, SMS contributed about 57 percent of non-voice revenues for telecom companies globally in 2009 but this is projected to fall to 47 percent this year.vum estimates the rise of alternative messaging services has slashed 8.7 billion dollars from the revenues of telecom operators worldwide in 2010 and 13.9 billion dollars in 2011.

The surge in mobile internet, driven by the explosion in smartphones and tablet computers is seen as a major reason for the decline of the 'text messaging' trend, as more and more people are seen to prefer the easy and faster means of communicating to friends and family thought instant chat messengers and apps. (ANI)