MMS Messages Disappear Permanently: Telekom, Telefónica, and 1&1 End Service on June 30
Berlin, May 20, 2026 – The era of Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) in Germany is drawing to a close. Following Vodafone’s decision to discontinue its MMS service in January 2023, Telekom, Telefónica (o2), and 1&1 have announced they will also pull the plug on June 30. This move signifies the definitive end for a communication technology that has been largely rendered obsolete by more advanced alternatives.
The Decline of an Outdated Technology
For many, MMS messages are remembered as a means to send low-resolution photos or short audio clips, often at a significant cost. The technology, which allowed users to send multimedia content over mobile networks, never truly gained widespread adoption in daily life due to its technical limitations and high prices. Modern alternatives such as email, messenger applications, and the successor standard RCS have long since taken its place, offering superior functionality and affordability.
Telekom, Telefónica, and 1&1 Follow Vodafone’s Lead
Telekom, Telefónica (o2), and 1&1 have confirmed on their support pages that their MMS services will cease on June 30. Vodafone had already discontinued its MMS service in January 2023, citing a lack of demand. This coordinated withdrawal by major network operators underscores the dwindling relevance of MMS in today’s digital communication landscape.
As alternatives, network providers are directing users towards RCS chats for sending messages with photos, videos, or large attachments. The classic SMS message will, of course, remain available for transmitting plain short text.
High Costs and Technical Limitations: Why MMS Never Took Off
One of the primary reasons MMS never became a mass phenomenon was its prohibitive cost. Depending on the network and provider, sending a single MMS could cost between 39 and 79 cents. This was a significant barrier, especially when compared to the free or low-cost alternatives that emerged.
Technically, MMS was also hopelessly outdated. Attached photos or audio files were limited to a mere 0.3 megabytes (MB) in size. This limitation made it uncompetitive against modern messenger apps like Signal, Threema, or WhatsApp, which allow users to send photos, videos, or voice messages of several MB or even gigabytes (GB) without additional charges.
RCS: The Modern Alternative
RCS (Rich Communication Services) chats, available in messaging apps like iMessage or Google Messages, now offer much of what MMS attempted, but with significantly enhanced capabilities. These include delivery and read receipts, as well as typing indicators, providing a more interactive and feature-rich messaging experience.
Crucially, RCS messages typically cost the same as an SMS – which, for most mobile phone plans, means virtually nothing extra, as SMS flat rates are included in the majority of tariffs. Embedded photos and videos in RCS messages only affect the monthly data volume of a plan, similar to other messenger services, provided the user is not connected to a Wi-Fi network.
The phasing out of MMS marks a significant step in the evolution of mobile communication, as telecommunication companies adapt to user preferences and technological advancements, prioritizing more efficient and cost-effective solutions.
