Germany Ends Call-by-Call Discount Dialing Service

The once-popular budget phone service, introduced in the late 1990s, is discontinued as demand dwindles due to flatrates and internet-based alternatives.

• Call-by-Call, a discount dialing service for landline calls in Germany, officially ends as of January 1, 2025, following a decline in usage.
• Introduced after the deregulation of Deutsche Telekom's monopoly in 1998, it offered cheaper rates for domestic and international calls.
• The service's relevance diminished over the years with the rise of flatrate phone plans and free internet-based communication apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime.
• Call-by-Call had been a vital option for budget-conscious users, including older individuals and those without internet access, for maintaining affordable connections with family and friends abroad.
• Alternatives such as callthrough services and international flatrates remain available, though users are advised to review options carefully to avoid unexpected costs.

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