Europe UK : 3G Operator 3 UK confirmed one billion instant messages have been sent across its network since it launched instant messaging services a year ago.

3 was the first and is the only mobile operator to offer IM services on its network in the UK and provides customers with an identical messaging experience to the one they are used to on their PC – allowing them to see the presence of their contacts and exchange messages from their phone.

Since 3 launched Windows Live Messenger exclusively on August 1 last year followed by Yahoo! Messenger in August 2007, an average of more than 100 million messages have been sent and received each month. Its success highlights that mobile internet communication is becoming a part of everyday life for 3 customers.

3’s Director of Product Management, Fergal Walker said: “The volume of messages being sent proves mobile IM services are a massive success. Our customers love being able to chat to friends wherever they are for as long as they want, even after they have shut down their PC.”

3 was awarded Best Mobile Messaging Service for Windows Live Messenger™ at the GSM Awards held earlier this year, which judges described as “one the best uses of mobile broadband”.

The Windows Live Messenger™ application and Yahoo!™ Messenger is free to customers in the UK and is easily downloaded from Planet 3 onto the majority of 3 handsets.