The spread of Short Messaging Service continues unabated in China with its volume increasing by 39 per cent in the first quarter of the year to 67.21 billion messages, the state media reported.

During January-March, the volume of SMS reached 67.21 billion, increasing 39 per cent over the same period last year, averaging 750 million SMS per day.

According to the ministry of information industry, China's telephone subscriber base has touched 674 million, including 325 million fixed line phones and 349 million cellular phones, both occupying first place in the world, China News Service reported.

Internet users in China have reached 98.8 million, ranking second in the world after the United States.

Various intercom services, including SMS, have seen an explosive growth in China.

In the first quarter, more than 30 new telecom services were introduced. Broadband Internet users increased by 3.48 million in the first three months of this year, reaching

28.33 million; IP phone conversations totalled 30.074 billion minutes, an increase of 17 per cent.