sueddeutsche.de
German Mobile Market Shifts to Data Dominance Amidst Declining Voice Calls",
In the saturated German mobile market, voice calls are declining to 407 million minutes daily by 2025, while data usage per SIM card reaches 11.7 GB monthly, driven by OTT apps like WhatsApp and Signal, which surpass traditional calls with 565 million daily minutes usage, reshaping revenue models and infrastructure needs.",
- How do the rising usage of OTT communication services and declining SMS usage affect the revenue models of mobile network operators?",
- Over-the-top (OTT) services like WhatsApp and Signal are replacing traditional voice calls, accounting for 565 million minutes of daily usage, exceeding traditional mobile calls. This shift is driven by the cost-effectiveness and convenience of OTT apps for communication, even internationally.",
- What are the long-term implications of these trends for the German mobile phone market's infrastructure, competition, and consumer behavior?",
- The declining use of voice calls and SMS, coupled with rising data consumption, points to a future where mobile networks are primarily used for data services. This trend will likely influence network investment strategies, favoring data infrastructure over voice infrastructure.",
- What are the most significant changes in the German mobile phone market, and what are their immediate impacts on consumers and the industry?",
- The German mobile phone market is saturated, with four main network operators (Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica/O2, 1&1) and several virtual network operators. Voice calls are declining, with only 407 million minutes expected daily in 2025, while data usage is increasing to 11.7 GB per SIM card monthly.",
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the decline of traditional mobile phone calls and SMS as a natural and inevitable consequence of technological advancements. This framing subtly suggests that OTT communication is superior without critically evaluating its drawbacks or considering potential future shifts in communication trends. The headline (if any) would likely reinforce this framing. The emphasis on data usage and the success of OTT apps reinforces this perspective.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral and objective, presenting statistical data and factual observations. However, phrases like "saftige Gebühren" (juicy fees) when discussing mobile call charges could be considered slightly loaded, introducing a subjective element. Replacing it with a more neutral term like "high fees" would improve objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on the decline of traditional phone calls and SMS, and the rise of OTT communication. However, it omits discussion of potential negative aspects of OTT communication, such as privacy concerns related to data collection and security vulnerabilities. Additionally, the economic impact on traditional telecommunication providers beyond revenue figures is not explored. While brevity might explain some omissions, a more balanced perspective would include these elements.
False Dichotomy
The text presents a somewhat false dichotomy between traditional phone calls and OTT communication, implying that one is completely replacing the other. In reality, both forms of communication coexist and serve different purposes. The shift is presented as linear and inevitable, without acknowledging factors that could influence the trend.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights that while the mobile phone market is saturated with four major network operators and several virtual network operators, it also shows that the cost of communication is decreasing due to the use of over-the-top services like WhatsApp and Signal. This increased accessibility to communication technology can reduce inequalities in access to information and communication, thereby contributing positively to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).