The Decline of Landline Usage: A Look Into PSTN and VoIP Trends in 2025
Landline telephony has been on the decline as VoIP and other technologies gain popularity, but it remains relevant globally. Explore the current state of landline usage and the rapid shift towards VoIP.
The Current State of Landline Usage
In 2006, the public switched telephone network (PSTN) peaked with 1.22 billion lines in service. However, a consistent annual decline of 6% led to a drastic decrease, hitting 407 million subscriptions by the end of 2024.
Looking ahead, it is projected that by 2031, the PSTN will dwindle to fewer than 250 million lines globally, marking a significant downturn from its peak.
VoIP Overtakes PSTN
One of the primary reasons for the decline in PSTN voice telephony is the surge in voice-over-IP (VoIP) subscriptions. In 2024, IP-based voice subscriptions exceeded PSTN connections for the first time, reaching around 447 million.
Forecasts indicate that by the end of 2031, VoIP lines will surpass PSTN lines by nearly 300 million globally, with a projected VoIP household penetration of 21%.
PSTN Fading and VoIP Rising
VoIP subscriptions experienced a 9% increase in 2024, and it is estimated that by the end of 2031, 90% of households in leading countries like France, Japan, Germany, and Portugal will have adopted VoIP.
Despite an overall 2% decline in combined PSTN and VoIP subscriptions in 2024, the trend is expected to continue, with an annual average drop of 1.1% until 2031.
Emerging Trends and Projections
While fixed voice penetration is declining in most regions, Africa remains stable at 9%-10%. Notable growth pockets were seen in North African countries like Algeria and Egypt.
In contrast, countries like India, Egypt, and Mexico witnessed growth in combined PSTN and VoIP subscriptions. On the flip side, major countries such as the U.S., Russia, China, and the U.K. experienced substantial declines.
Although the PSTN phaseout will span over decades, the global shift towards VoIP is inevitable as telcos transition to all-IP networks for cost-efficiency and service diversity.
Conclusion
The telecom industry faces significant transformations as traditional landline services fade and all-IP networks take center stage. For more in-depth analysis and data, subscribe to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database.
