In the Netherlands most people choose one company to provide home telecom services (internet, TV, telephone) due to bundled package discounts offered by the provider. Cable, DSL and fiberglass connections are all available.

The Netherlands telecom industry is governed by the EU Open Internet Regulation, the Dutch Telecommunications Act and the BES Telecommunications Facilties Act as well as other directives. The Authority on Consumers & Markets (ACM) is the Dutch agency responsible for monitoring telecom companies operating in the Netherlands.

In addition, the ACM also interacts directly with consumers via the platform ConsuWijzer.nl. They provide insight as to how things should work and the rights consumers have should they have a different experience. The website covers a range of topics including fixed and mobile telecom services in Netherlands.

Some facts about internet in Netherlands

• The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top 5 countries in the world for internet speed
• 97% of Dutch homes have a fixed broadband internet connection
• Most telecom service provider websites in Netherlands are only available in Dutch

DUTCH INTERNET MARKETPLACE

The Dutch broadband strategy favours a market-based infrastructure roll out. It thereby puts key emphasis on the role played by local and regional parties in coordinating and simplifying the process.

The principal task of local government is to create the right conditions, such as planning and coordination of excavation works, shortening and reducing the costs of licensing procedures or promoting the development of broadband and use of applications and services.

Where market-based infrastructure roll out fails, local and regional operators may assist and provide for funding and financing instruments.

The central government’s role is mainly to support NGA (Next Generation Access) roll out by informing municipalities about the various aspects of a broadband project (e.g. state aid opportunities within EU state aid rules), ensuring the exchange of knowledge and best practices and providing an overview of current developments.

GETTING CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET

The most common form of fixed broadband internet connection in the Netherlands is cable (3.81 million), followed by fiberglass (2.48 million) and DSL (1.99 million).

A new client can apply for home telecom services online or in a retail outlet. Most internet provider websites have a post code check to see what infrastructure is in place, and thus what the fastest possible speed will be. Once this is known, you can choose the best service plan for your needs.

Bundled packages are popular with consumers in Netherlands due to efficiency and built-in discounts. Multiple services purchased from one provider typically have a lower cost than purchasing the same services from multiple suppliers.

The most common telecom bundle subscriptions in the Netherlands combine mobile service with one or more fixed services (internet, TV, landline telephone). In 2023, 3.42 million consumers had such a bundle service contract.

As for packages combining only fixed services (internet, TV, fixed telephony), 2.75 million customers in Netherlands currently subscribe to a bundle of 2 services, while 1 million choose a bundle with all 3 services.

Equipment is usually received within 1-3 days after registration. Once the service provider has activated the connection, all the consumer needs to do is attach the equipment. If activation requires a technician visit, it may take additional time before service is live.

Landline phone service is rarely purchased as an a la carte product and the use of this traditional type of communication continues to decrease in the Netherlands. At the beginning of 2023, there were 4.46 million fixed phone connections in the country.

HOME TELECOM SERVICES PROVIDERS

VodafoneZiggo (40-45%) and KPN (35-40%) are the two biggest broadband internet providers in the Netherlands, followed by Odido and Delta Fiber (5-10%). All remaining brands, including Online.nl and Youfone TV account for 0-5% market share.

PRICE COMPARISON FOR HOME TELECOM SERVICES

There a number of online platforms which allow you to compare costs of like services across telecom providers to find the best price. Most of these are only available in Dutch.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands telephone country code is 0031 which can also be dialed as +31.

Landline-based telephone numbers in the Netherlands are 10 digits long and most start with a 3-digit area code. Note that when calling a Netherlands phone number from abroad, the ‘0’ at the beginning of the area code is not dialed. It is only used when calling within Holland.

Below are the area codes for Dutch cities with sizeable international communities:

OTHER TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN HOLLAND

Dutch phone numbers that begin with 06, 08, 09 and 11 are not geographically-based…

TELEMARKETING CALLS IN NETHERLANDS

In July 2021 the Netherlands do-not-call registry was ended due to new telemarketing regulations that took effect. Previously companies could contact potential customers if their phone number was not in the do-not-call registry. The new law makes it illegal for companies to make unsolicited sales calls unless the potential customer has added their phone number (opted in) to the registry.

Another change to the telemarketing law requires the calling company to display their phone number.

If an call is received from a phone number the receiver does not recognize, they can do a reverse lookup to find out more about the caller on the website wieheeftgebeld.nl

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Related information…

MOBILE SERVICES IN NETHERLANDS

CHARACTERISTICS OF DUTCH HOMES