German landline telephone usage drops to 61% as mobile flat rates dominate

Decline in German landline telephone adoption

A representative survey conducted by market research company Innofact on behalf of comparison portal Verivox indicates that fixed-line telephone usage in Germany has dropped by 10 percentage points compared to 2025. Only 61% of respondents reported having an active traditional telephone in their homes. Daily reliance on home landline phones has dwindled, with only one in ten respondents (10%) stating that they place or receive fixed-line calls on a daily basis. Meanwhile, 39% of respondents stated that they do not use a stationary telephone connection at all. A large portion of these non-users retain technical landline connectivity through bundled services without taking advantage of it. Specifically, about 19% of all respondents, representing roughly half of the non-users, have landline access included in their broadband internet contract but choose not to connect or use a stationary phone.

Widening generational divide in calling habits

Even among households that maintain a working landline connection, the frequency of use has decreased substantially. About 18% of surveyed consumers indicated that they do not use their stationary telephone several times a month, leaving the equipment unused aside from occasional calls. The survey of 1,000 participants aged 18 to 79, conducted in July, shows notable behavioural differences across age demographics. Landline adoption is lowest among younger consumers, with only 42% of respondents aged 18 to 29 using a home telephone. By comparison, traditional phone connections remain standard among older generations, with 89% of respondents aged 70 to 79 utilizing a landline. The common historical practice of telling friends and family to switch to a landline to save money has disappeared as younger users rely exclusively on mobile handsets.

Mobile flat rates and network quality improvements

Verivox telecommunications expert Jörg Schamberg identified changing tariff models and wireless network expansion as primary catalysts for the ongoing decline. Modern mobile contracts in Germany standardly feature unlimited voice flat rates that eliminate per-minute fees, removing the historic cost advantage once held by stationary home lines. In addition, mobile subscriptions offer substantial monthly data volumes that allow users to conduct audio and video calls over chat applications without exhausting their data allocations. Continuous investments in cellular infrastructure have also strengthened mobile coverage throughout the country.

There are fewer regions where you cannot make stable mobile calls.

Economic pressures accelerate fixed-line cancellations

Broader economic pressures have prompted German consumers to re-evaluate their recurring monthly utility costs. As households monitor their spending, many choose to eliminate redundant telephone expenses by dropping dedicated fixed-line services and relying entirely on their mobile devices for daily communications.

Those who have to watch their money more often forego a landline connection and do as much as possible via smartphone.

This ongoing consumer shift has turned the traditional fixed-line telephone into an optional convenience rather than an essential household utility.