Number of landline phones in homes has almost halved in a decade

The number of Belgian households with a landline phone has fallen by 42% in the past 10 years, from 4.5 million fixed lines in 2013 to 2.67 million in 2024, new figures show.

There was a time when 90% of Belgian households had a fixed telephone, RTL reports, but use of landlines has plummeted since mobile phones became commonplace.

The shift is both technological and societal, with some residents linking the elimination of their landline to their childrens’ ages: once children were old enough for a mobile phone, the landline no longer had a use.

Since Belgacom launched mobile services in 1994 under the Proximus brand, communication via landlines has been declining at an annual rate of about 10%.

Still, some people hold on to a landline. “Our customers often use them for international calls, as they’re included in fixed-line phone packages – anyone who regularly makes international calls uses a landline,” Proximus spokesperson Haroun Fenaux said.

As long as demand persists, Proximus said fixed lines will continue to be offered.