UK network operator O2 has revealed that a record number of text messages were sent over its network in the 24 hour period surrounding New Year. Between 7:30AM on December 31 and the same time on January 1, a huge 166 million text messages flew across O2’s network – a record 1,900 per second.

Although the network operator anticipated a hike in text numbers to appear over the festive period, the sheer volume came unexpectedly as a favourite over calls. Before the event, one of O2’s rival networks, Orange, predicted that it would see some 112 million text messages passing through its network on December 31, and a further 110 on New Year’s day.

The provider also speculated that around 900,000 picture messages would be sent over the course of the celebrations. Orange has not yet released its statistics for the period.

In other locations, O2’s record was barely touched upon as Sweden and the Netherlands missed the 25 million mark. Switzerland and Thailand both made it to 50 million, and the highest European countries to send text messages over New Year were France with 66 million and Belgium 78.3 million.

Text messages at New Year has seen a rise year on year, with more and more people using their mobile phones to write good wishes to friends and family rather than attempting to call. Mobile Industry Review wrote: "Why spend the next hour at midnight calling people to wish them a happy new year, whilst going straight to voicemail each time as everyone else has the same idea."

The average time for text messages to send through O2 was 10 seconds, as opposed to less reliable phone call connections.