Dynamic Shifts in Mobile Communication: SMS vs. Modern Chat Apps
The Evolving Landscape of SMS
Germans exchange approximately 2.8 billion daily chat messages - Daily communication by German residents totals approximately 2.8 billion chat messages.
Once a dominant force in mobile communication, the SMS is facing an uncertain future. Although no specific date has been set for its demise, trends suggest that SMS will gradually transition or be replaced by newer technologies such as Rich Communication Services (RCS) and messaging apps [4]. The humble SMS may still have its place in some niche applications, but its wide-spread use is dwindling.
The Rise of Instant Messaging
Modern chat services like WhatsApp, Signal, Threema, and the like, are increasingly becoming the preferred means of communication on smartphones. According to a market study by the internet industry association VATM, each German citizen sends an average of approximately 34 instant messaging messages per day [1]. In total, this adds up to 2.83 billion chat messages sent each day through apps, marking a five percent increase from last year and more than doubling the amount sent in 2018 [1].
On the other hand, the average number of emails sent per German resident per day is 19, growing at a slower pace than chat messages, but still increasing [1]. Surprisingly, in 2016, the number of emails and chat messages was almost equal. However, now significantly more instant messaging messages are sent than emails [1].
Traditional SMS messages are barely used anymore; their volume is so low that they no longer appear as a daily statistic in the VATM statistics, only as a weekly value. On average, a German resident sends 12 SMS per week, a significant decrease from 22 per week in 2021 and about a third of the annual value in 2016 [1].
The longevity of SMS is uncertain. Study author Andreas Walter from Dialog Consult couldn't provide a definitive answer about when the last SMS would be sent. He noted that SMS still has advantages for certain applications, such as banking confirmations, where it can reach anyone whose number is known, even without the recipient's app [1].
TheBoom in Chat Messages
The surge in chat messages can be attributed to several factors:
- Improved UX/UI: New technologies like RCS and messaging apps offer features such as rich media, interactive elements, and real-time communication, which enhance user experience compared to traditional SMS [4].
- Convenience and Engagement: Chat messages provide higher engagement rates and more personalized experiences, drawing users away from SMS [4].
- Business Adoption: The use of SMS and premium messaging as business tools has grown, driven by their effectiveness in customer engagement and marketing [2][4]. However, this growth has also brought about increased spam and frustration among users [1].
- Privacy Concerns: With tighter privacy regulations, businesses are shifting towards platforms that offer more transparent and user-friendly communication, contributing to the shift away from traditional SMS [4].
The Continuing Boom
The boom in chat messages is largely driven by the adoption of advanced messaging technologies and evolving consumer preferences:
- Enhanced Features: Advances in technology like RCS provide features that engage users and foster interaction.
- Personalization and AI Integration: Modern chat platforms integrate AI for personalized responses and improved customer service.
- Privacy and Regulation: As consumers prioritize privacy, platforms offering transparent and secure communication are gaining traction [4].
Despite the changing landscape of mobile communication, traditional SMS will likely continue to have some role, while the future of messaging seems to favor more interactive and personalized technologies.
- By 2024, the Commission may adopt a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, helping safeguard employee health in the field of advanced technology and gadgets like smartphones.
- In the daily life of a German resident, the average number of instant messaging messages sent through gadgets such as smartphones exceeds the number of emails sent, doubling the amount sent in 2018 and surpassing emails for the first time in 2016.
- Contrasting the increasing number of chat messages, the volume of traditional SMS messages is so low that they no longer appear as a daily statistic, with an average German resident sending only 12 SMS per week, representing a significant decrease from 22 per week in 2021 and a far cry from the annual value in 2016.
- The surge in chat messages can be attributed to various factors, including improved user experience (UX/UI), increased engagement rates, business adoption, and growing privacy concerns, along with the integration of AI for personalized responses and improved customer service.
