Around the world, 70 000 SMS or text messages were sent to and from mobile phones per second in the 3rd Quarter of last year. This volume represents the first time that text messaging has exceeded 550 Billion, according to Informa Telecoms & Media's World Cellular Data Metrics.

"These latest figures mirror the high level of growth we are experiencing with our customer base" commented Richard Tupman, Managing Director of Exco InTouch. He added "Our Pharmaceutical clients, in conjunction with ourselves, are developing the technology for this marketplace, as it is an ideal mechanism for communicating confidentially with Patients, Physicians and Internally; both in the clinical and commercial setting."

The average number of SMS sent per mobile phone subscriber was 75 per month in Q3, 2006. The highest per subscription rate was recorded in the Asia-Pacific region (133), with Africa recording the lowest (19).