The statistic depicts the penetration rate for fixed line telephony, otherwise known as 'Plain Old Telephone Service' (POTS) in Europe each year from 2005 to 2017. The penetration rate has fallen steadily as people's reliance on POTS decreases, falling from nearly half of the population in 2005, to less than a quarter (24 percent) in 2017.
Fixed line penetration (POTS*) in Europe as share of the population from 2005 to 2017**
Characteristic
Penetration rate
2017*
24%
2016
25%
2015
26%
2014
28%
2013
29%
2012
31%
2011
33%
2010
36.5%
2009
38.3%
2008
40.5%
2007
42.4%
2006
44.5%
2005
45.5%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%
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ETNO. (December 5, 2017). Fixed line penetration (POTS*) in Europe as share of the population from 2005 to 2017** [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/221349/penetration-of-fixed-lines-in-europe-since-2005/
ETNO. "Fixed line penetration (POTS*) in Europe as share of the population from 2005 to 2017**." Chart. December 5, 2017. Statista. Accessed June 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/221349/penetration-of-fixed-lines-in-europe-since-2005/
ETNO. (2017). Fixed line penetration (POTS*) in Europe as share of the population from 2005 to 2017**. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/221349/penetration-of-fixed-lines-in-europe-since-2005/
ETNO. "Fixed Line Penetration (Pots*) in Europe as Share of The Population from 2005 to 2017**." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Dec 2017, https://www.statista.com/statistics/221349/penetration-of-fixed-lines-in-europe-since-2005/
ETNO, Fixed line penetration (POTS*) in Europe as share of the population from 2005 to 2017** Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/221349/penetration-of-fixed-lines-in-europe-since-2005/ (last visited June 09, 2025)
Fixed line penetration (POTS*) in Europe as share of the population from 2005 to 2017** [Graph], ETNO, December 5, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/221349/penetration-of-fixed-lines-in-europe-since-2005/
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