Global SMS traffic during the 2007/2008 New Year period increased by 30 per cent over the same period last year, research revealed today.

Figures from messaging and charging company Acision suggest that global phone users sent a staggering 43 billion text messages to wish their loved ones a happy new year.

Growth was strong in both the mature and emerging markets, according to the report.

SMS traffic in Portugal almost tripled across the festive period compared to last year, and Dutch operator KPN saw its messaging traffic double on New Year's Eve.

However, the most astounding growth figures came from developing markets. India's 220 million mobile subscribers sent over a billion text messages representing a 300 per cent increase on daily traffic levels.

The Philippines retained its title as the text messaging capital of the world, sending a remarkable 1.39 billion text messages from a subscriber base of just 50 million.

Steven van Zanen, head of messaging futures at Acision, said: "SMS represents a significant slice of mobile operator revenues, and events like New Year's Eve demonstrate how critical it is to ensure a reliable and speedy service.

"One operator's infrastructure operated under peaks of 19,000 messages per second without congestion or delay.

"The New Year figures are eagerly anticipated each year and this year's record traffic levels again do not disappoint."