Christmas texting drops in Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The number of Christmas text messages is declining as other methods of communicating become more popular, observers in Sweden said.

The Swedish news agency TT said it determined the number of text messages sent through four major telephone networks decreased by 4 million messages this year.

"Seven or eight years ago people started texting their Christmas greetings, instead of calling to wish a merry Christmas. My guess is that in a year or two people will send Christmas greetings via Facebook, Twitter, or the like," said Erik Hornfeldt, from the telephone operator Tre.

Even though the number of text messages sent through Tre and Tele2 declined, Telia and Telenor set new records for the number of text messages sent Christmas Eve.

The trend toward fewer Christmas text messages is also reflected in some neighboring countries, the report said.

In Denmark, the number of text messages sent through Telia dropped by 1 million, while data traffic increased by 36 percent. Norway's Telenor said its text messaging traffic has dropped by 5 million over the past two Christmas holidays.

"We're convinced that several of those who have sent text messages with Christmas greetings in the past now increasingly communicate through Facebook and other social media," said Per Aril Meling, Telenor's information officer.