Though some might argue otherwise, most observers might agree that over the top messaging gradually is supplanting use of text messaging. According to data from CTIA: The Wireless Association, one might hypothesize that text messaging volumes hit a peak in 2011, and now are gradually dropping.
In 2012, mobile users in the United States sent and received 2.19 trillion text messages.
That was down about five percent from 2011 levels, according to the CTIA, and was the first negative showing ever.
The drop in SMS probably means U.S. mobile users are sending roughly the same number of text messages, but using over the top apps such as WhatsApp and Skype even more.
Since the number of subscribers has grown since 2008 by about 56 million, the flat level of voice usage suggests people are calling less on their mobiles, using the carrier voice service.
One cannot tell from the CTIA data whether the total volume of "voice" is up, flat or down, after including over the top app usage or video sessions that replace voice calls. But other studies suggest that behavior has been drifting in the direction of more texting and less talking since at least 2008.
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