MMS Technology Discontinued by Telekom, O2, and 1&1

On June 30, 2026, mobile network providers Deutsche Telekom, O2, and 1&1 officially discontinued the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) technology. This measure had been announced in May 2026 and marks the end of a technology that never achieved the widespread adoption of traditional SMS. MMS allowed users to send images and other multimedia content but was unpopular due to high costs and low image quality. Sending an MMS cost between 19 cents and up to 39 cents, which is considered expensive compared to most modern messaging services.

The maximum file size for MMS was 0.3 megabytes, often resulting in inadequate image quality. These limitations contributed to users increasingly switching to free alternatives like WhatsApp, Signal, and iMessage. Vodafone had already discontinued MMS technology on January 17, 2023, being the first provider to introduce MMS in Germany in April 2002.

At that time, MMS represented a revolutionary way to send images and even short videos via mobile phones, significantly expanding mobile phone usage. With the introduction of MMS, the restriction of 160 characters per SMS was also lifted. In 2003, Vodafone showcased video MMS at Cebit, allowing users to send short video clips. However, this innovation was not sufficient to establish MMS in the market long-term. The shift away from MMS is part of a larger trend towards data-based communication services.

The successor to SMS and MMS, the Rich Communication Suite (RCS), offers enhanced features such as sending texts, images, videos, and documents, as well as the ability to make video calls. RCS is increasingly supported by mobile network providers and smartphone manufacturers. SMS remains unaffected by the discontinuation of MMS and continues to be used as a text messaging service. Despite competition from modern messaging services, SMS remains relevant due to its simplicity and widespread use. The decision by Telekom, O2, and 1&1 to discontinue MMS technology reflects the changing communication habits of users.

More and more people are using internet-based services that enable more cost-effective and higher-quality communication. The discontinuation of MMS technology is expected to have no significant impact on users, as most have already switched to alternative services. The last MMS messages were sent on June 30, 2026, marking the end of an era in mobile communication. Mobile network providers are now focusing on promoting RCS and other modern communication solutions.