In Germany, internet audio and video calls have exceeded the traditional use of mobile networks in 2024. According to the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagenur), the duration of audio conversations via messenger applications as Whatsapp reached 197 billion minutes in 2024, reflecting a significant change towards exaggerated communication services (OTT). This trend is driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones and strong penetration on the Internet, with 93% of the population using the Internet in 2024.
In addition, a Statita 2023 report noted that 64% of Germans had made telephone calls (including video calls) via the Internet, highlighting increasing dependence on applications like WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger. Mobile data consumption has also increased, with Germans using 2 billion gigabytes in 2018 only, an increase of 40% compared to the previous year, partly due to the abolition of EU erroneous charges in 2017.
However, German mobile and high speed infrastructure is lagging behind many European countries, with only 2% of connections using fiber optics and a 4G The network ranked among the worst in Europe for speed and availability. This has led to challenges to support the growing demand for high -intensity of data such as video calls, especially in rural areas where connectivity remains unequal. Despite these problems, the domination of Ott The services continue to reshape communication habits, traditional SMS and voice calls decreased sharply – the use of SMS increased from 60 billion in 2012 to 8.9 billion in 2018.
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The change in Germany to audio and video calls on the Internet exceeding the use of mobile networks has significant implications, in particular in terms of infrastructure, economic impacts and increasing digital fracture. The increase in strong data intensity services such as video calls (197 billion minutes via Messenger applications in 2024) exerts pressure on mobile networks and wide -strips already late German. With only 2% of connections using optical fiber and a lower 4G network, the infrastructure is struggling to support reliable and reliable connectivity, especially for rural areas.
This requires substantial investments in 5G networks and optical fibers to meet demand, because consumption of mobile data continues to grow (2 billion gigabytes in 2018, up 40% in annual shift). The dependence on excessive services (OTT) such as WhatsApp and Skype reduces the income of traditional telecommunications suppliers from voice and SMS calls (the use of SMS increased from 60 billion in 2012 to 8.9 billion in 2018), which could limit their capacity to finance network improvements without government intervention or new commercial models.
Economic and industry work quarters
Telecommunications operators are faced with the drop in income from traditional services, by pushing them to rotate to data on data or added services. This could result in higher consumption costs for data packages or premium connectivity options. The domination of OTT platforms strengthens technology giants like META (WhatsApp) and Microsoft (Skype), which raises concerns about market concentration and data confidentiality, as these services collect large amounts of user data.
The regulatory examination may increase, in particular in EU data protection frameworks such as the GDPR. The widespread adoption of Internet calls (64% of Germans – The transition to OTT services reflects changing communication habits, with 93% Internet penetration allowing transparent and profitable global connectivity.
Urban areas benefit from better 4G / 5G coverage and wide -band access, allowing transparent use of OTT services. On the other hand, rural regions suffer from uneven connectivity, with slow -strip speeds and unreliable mobile networks. This limits access to video calls and other heavy services, which hinders remote work, education and social connectivity in these areas.
For example, the 4G network of Germany ranks badly in Europe for speed and availability, and rural areas often do not have the infrastructure to support the 2 billion mobile data gigabytes consumed in 2018. In 2023, 64% of Germans used Internet calls, but the remaining 36% – often older or less warned people in technology – can be excluded due to cost of cost or literacy digital.
Small companies in rural areas are faced with competitive drawbacks, because poor connectivity hinders their ability to engage in digital markets or adopt modern communication tools. The digital fracture affects access to online education and remote work, both dependent on videoconference tools. Students and rural workers are disadvantaged, potentially expanding educational and economic inequalities.
THE Bundesnetzagenur 2024 The data highlight the extent of the use of the OTT, but those without a reliable internet are increasingly left in a communication landscape dominated by applications. Government initiatives, such as Germany’s pressure for 5G on a national scale and expansion of optical fibers, are essential. Subsidies for large -band rural deployment could fill the ditch. Training for older or less technophile populations can stimulate the adoption of OTT services, guaranteeing broader inclusion.
Telecommunications could offer low-cost data plans, while Wi-Fi public initiatives in rural areas could improve connectivity. This transition to communication on the Internet highlights the urgency to meet the challenges of the digital infrastructure and the actions of Germany to guarantee that all citizens can participate in an increasingly connected world.
