UK network operator Orange is predicting that this New Year's Eve will see records broken in the number of texts sent, calls made and data accessed by its customers. It estimates that a staggering 78 million calls to family and friends will be made on that night alone.

The provider claims that data usage will be up by over 25 per cent year on year, as Brits post messages, pictures and comments on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and believes that the number of texts sent will number around 170 million. Picture message numbers will also be increased, to around 1.8 million.

That equates to a 14 per cent and 18 per cent rise respectively.

"This New Year is set to be another record breaker for Orange customers, as they use their mobiles to welcome in the New Year," says an Orange spokesperson. "This year we expect customers to celebrate with an increase in texts, pictures, calls and even data usage, while they send emails or tweet about their festivities."

Of course, as anybody who's tried to contact a friend or family member after midnight on New Year's Eve will know, getting through is nigh-on impossible, and with the expected greater load on the networks, we'd recommend that you send your greetings early.

Do you bother trying to contact loved ones on New Year's Eve? Let us know in the comments below...