Verizon: 20 billion texts sent in February

Verizon Wireless announced that its subscribers sent and received close to 20 billion text messages in the month of February, just eight months after the operator's first 10 billion-message month, June 2007. Verizon adds that opportunities for messaging programs and short codes continue to grow, citing the increasing popularity of text-based contests, promotions and opt-in campaigns. "The volume of text messages being sent and received by Verizon Wireless customers is growing exponentially," said Verizon chief marketing office Mike Lanman in a prepared statement. "Whether it's sports scores, news updates, the latest weather forecast, or the 'joke of the day', text messages are a tremendous way for anyone to stay on top of what's happening in the world. Not to mention all of the parents--and grandparents--keeping up with their kids, or kids texting each other throughout the day, text messaging is becoming an increasingly important way to communicate for people of all ages."

For more on the Verizon text milestone:
- read this release

Related articles:
Verizon reverses policy on text messages
Verizon intros exclusive V Cast TV channels
Report: Operators fumbling $4.9 billion in SMS revenue