A record-breaking 223 million text messages were sent across Australia as the nation marked the start of 2013.
According to Telstra 600,000 people watched the Sydney celebrations via its YouTube channel.
Major telcos reported that their networks held up well under surging demand for text messaging and social media sites during new year celebrations, with just before midnight to 1am on January 1 the peak time for mobile phone use.
The surge in text messaging is being driven by a near 100 per cent increase in smartphone ownership during 2012.
