Communication in the future will be done increasingly through mobile devices. According to TNS Global, 74 percent of the world's digital messages were sent via a mobile device in January 2009, a 15 percent increase over the previous year.
In emerging markets, the trend is even more dramatic -- nine out of 10 messages are sent via mobile phone.
Some of the growth can be attributed to mobile instant messaging. Thirteen percent of all mobile subscribers used the feature, compared to 41 percent of smartphone users.
Other increases in mobile phone usage can be attributed to the abandonment of fixed-line telephone services.
"As mobile devices slowly take away usage share from fixed services in developed markets, in emerging markets consumers are more likely to by-pass fixed communications altogether and go straight to mobiles," said Sam Curtis of TNS.
As for developed countries, the PC e-mail remains the most popular message method, but its use is decreasing.
In Japan, 40 out of 100 e-mails sent are from a mobile device. In North America, 69 percent of those using e-mail on their mobile phone use it daily, compared with 43 percent worldwide.
The trend will increase, TNS says, as smartphones -- such as the popular Apple iPhone -- enter the marketplace and gain share.