Given President-Elect Barack Obama's savvy use of mobile messaging during his successful 2008 campaign, it is perhaps fitting that a record of more than 1.4 billion mobile messages are expected to be delivered nationwide on Inauguration Day, according to estimates based on industry analysts and calculated by the Messaging and Mobile Media division of VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN).
Based on the continued rise in mobile messaging, the historic nature of the inaugural, and Obama's ties to heavy users of messaging technology, VeriSign expects the Election Day record of 803 million messages carried on its network that was set on Nov. 4, 2008 to fall handily. VeriSign estimates mobile messaging to increase by approximately 15% on the day that Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden take the oath of office and Obama then addresses the nation for the first time as president.
"Messaging numbers are continuously on the rise, and we expect to see single-day records being shattered as the year progresses," said Michael Campbell, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, VeriSign Messaging and Mobile Media. "On Inauguration Day, we foresee the potential to set another single-day record. Based on our recent New Year's Eve experience managing a single-hour record of over 82 million mobile messages as the clock struck midnight in the Eastern time zone, we are more than capable of handling the increased traffic volume."
VeriSign releases a quarterly Mobile Messaging Index that summarizes total traffic volume by measuring the number of A2P/P2P mobile messages (SMS, MMS) the company handles each day. VeriSign's Q4 2008 and Year End 2008 Mobile Messaging Index is expected in February 2009.
About VeriSign Messaging and Mobile Media
VeriSign Messaging and Mobile Media is a division of VeriSign, the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Through this business unit, VeriSign provides global application services that reliably deliver short-messages (SMS), multimedia messages (MMS), and mobile content across wireless operators and mobile devices throughout the world. As a leader in mobile messaging, mobile banking and mobile content delivery, VeriSign offers a broad portfolio of mobile infrastructure and delivery services. Offering reliable delivery, a worldwide presence, and rapid and effective deployment, VeriSign has built a trusted and respected brand with global mobile operators, media content providers and enterprises. The reach, reliability, and value add of VeriSign services enable these companies to capitalize on the rapidly growing messaging and media content markets.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.