Huge rise in junk text messages

A massive rise in the number of junk text messages sent to mobile phones has been revealed in a study out today.

It shows that eight out of 10 mobile users have been targeted by SMS spam - unsolicited text messages offering everything from free ring tones to car insurance.

"We were shocked by the results, and how annoying people find these messages," said Christopher Tiench of Intrado, which commissioned the study of 1,600 users.

Conducted by the University of St Gallen in Switzerland, the study found that many junk messages try to con users into calling premium rate numbers. "We've found that people change the network they are on," said Mr Tiench.

The research found that many mobile operators are sending unwanted texts to their customers, which has made 84 per cent consider changing networks.

Some experts hold networks responsible. Paul Field, of anti-spam firm MessageLabs, said: "It's not in their interest to cut out these messages - they make money from them."