Phoning It In: The Slide of Smartphones as Calling Devices in Germany
Device's primary function as a communication tool is diminishing. - Smartphone usage increasingly veers away from traditional calling functions.
Germany is witnessing a decrease in the use of mobile phones as devices for making calls. In 2021, German networks clocked 163 billion minutes of outgoing calls, which fell to 145 billion by 2024, as per the Federal Network Agency's response to a dpa inquiry.
This dip is starker in fixed-line networks, where the downfall started earlier. In 2020, a mind-boggling 104 billion minutes of calls took place, dropping nearly half to a mere 57 billion minutes by 2024.
Meanwhile, messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal, Threema, and a host of other internet platforms are reporting a surge in usage. In 2022, the minutes for audio calls via these apps soared to 197 billion, marking a significant increase from the previous year's 121 billion. Video calls are also on an upward trajectory, jumping from 143 billion in 2022 to 184 billion in 2024.
In our day-to-day chit-chat, it's no longer just about conversation exchange but also exchanging quick messages, or instant messages—whether text, images, voice clips, videos, or emojis. Last year, a whopping 902 billion of these instant messages zipped through Germany, 11 billion more than the previous year.
- Smartphone
- Mobile phone
- Germany
- Bonn
- Federal Network Agency
In the vast scheme of things, traditional voice calls via mobile phones in Germany are on the decline. By 2024, it's predicted that mobile phone calls will plunge to 145 billion minutes, down from the 163 billion minutes logged in 2021 [1]. The shift suggests that smartphones are becoming means for purposes beyond phone calls.
Enter messaging services. They're slated to experience substantial growth, with audio calls climbing up while video calls soar even further, reaching 184 billion minutes by 2024 [1]. Additionally, text messaging and emojis have become the preferred mode of communication, with over 902 billion messages floating around Germany in the previous year alone, an increase of 11 billion from the year prior [1].
Several factors steer this shift:* Tech Progress: Messaging apps boast a more flexible and hassle-free communication experience, with features such as instant responses and media sharing.* Preference: Many prefer the asynchronous nature of messaging, as it lets them respond at their convenience rather than being instantly responsive during calls.* Age and Generation: Younger generations, in particular, are more likely to embrace messaging apps and emojis, making them cornerstones of their digital communication culture [3].
All in all, the decrease in traditional voice calls and the swell in messaging services symbolize a broader evolution in the way people communicate, a transformation driven by technological innovations and changing user preferences.
[1] Federal Network Agency Response to dpa Inquiry - Telecommunications Report (2024)[3] ZDNet, The role of emojis in business communication (2021)
- As traditional voice calls via mobile phones in Germany decline, the use of messaging services for audio and video calls is expected to increase significantly, reaching 184 billion minutes by 2024.
- In this evolving landscape, smartphones are morphing into tools for vocational training, gadgets beyond solely being devices for making calls, as instant messaging and emojis become preferred methods of communication.
