From
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...oast-news.html
THE gremlins that used to snaffle the socks which mysteriously disappeared
from the washing have found new prey -- text messages.
You do not have to go far to find someone who has received an SMS hours late
or even up to two weeks after it was sent.
Major telecommunication providers Optus and Telstra said there was a variety
of reasons for some text messages taking the scenic route to delivery -- but
none involved sock-eating gremlins.
Both providers said there was no current congestion in their networks and
they had not received reports of delays from customers.
But often missing messages are due to individual circumstances.
An Optus spokesman said text messages could be delayed due to mobile phone
handset settings, the phone number receiving multiple messages at the same
time, being out of coverage range or turned off.
Telstra said big events such as Christmas, New Year's Eve and, on the Gold
Coast, the SuperGP, could lead to heavy SMS traffic volumes.
Telstra built its networks to handle such special traffic, which was about
three times normal busy day peak traffic.
But the most likely cause of a delay was marginal radio reception areas
where there was not enough signal strength.
Telstra said there were mobile phones designed for use in lower signal
areas.
Of course, if a user forgets to delete messages from their inbox, they may
not get new ones coming if their memory fills it.
Missing SMS riddle solved 
Linear Mode
