All households in the Netherlands should have the opportunity to access broadband networks of at least 100 Mbps and a vast majority should be taking advantage of 1 Gbps by 2023.
Summary of broadband development in the Netherlands
The Dutch Digitalisation Strategy and the Connectivity Action Plan comply with the Gigabit Society targets. The Netherlands is one of the top ranking member states in terms of broadband coverage and aims to remain the European digital leader providing high-quality connectivity that serves a wide range of demands and is available at competitive prices anytime and everywhere.
National broadband strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- In the Netherlands, several public authorities including local municipalities, regional provinces and on a national level, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat) are responsible for broadband development in the country.
- The Authority for Consumers and Markets (Autoriteit Consument & Markt) oversees fair competition as well as consumer protection in the energy, telecommunication, transport and postal services sector.
Main aims for broadband development
The Dutch Digitalisation Strategy was updated in 2021 and states what is needed to get the Netherlands ready for the digital future. The challenge for the government is to speed up and support the digital transition in public sectors and to strengthen further privacy protection, cybersecurity, digital skills and fair competition.
The Connectivity Action Plan refines the objectives of the Dutch Digitalisation Strategy and outlines the government’s efforts to remain the European digital leader with the aim of providing high-quality connectivity that can serve a wide range of demands and is available at competitive prices anytime and everywhere. In this plan, the Dutch government supports the EU Gigabit Society targets. All households should have the opportunity to access broadband networks of at least 100 Mbps and a vast majority should be taking advantage of 1 Gbps by 2023.
The Digital economy strategy (Nov 2022, Strategie Digitale Economie) lists “Expanding reliable and strong digital infrastructure” as one of the main pillars and intends to close the digital divide with 19,000 addresses in the outlying areas.
Main measures for broadband development
- The Dutch broadband strategy opts for a market-based infrastructure roll-out. It also puts key emphasis on the role of local and regional actors in coordinating and simplifying the process. Most of the broadband infrastructure roll-out is done by private operators autonomously. Here, removing barriers and facilitating the exchange of information and best practices among stakeholders are the principal tasks of local governments to stimulate investment by operators.
- Roadmap for the implementation of the Connectivity Toolbox: Various efforts have been made to coordinate between local and national governments regarding permit granting procedures. Next to information and knowledge sharing, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy created a taskforce of national and local authorities, to develop a uniform approach to permit-granting procedures for antennas and access to physical infrastructure for small cells. The government also introduced the possibility to establish broadband coordinators and develop guidelines on fees.
National and regional broadband financial instruments
- State aid measures: There are no state aid measures foreseen on a national level.
Data on broadband development and technologies in the Netherlands
For the latest data on broadband coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different broadband technologies and costs check the scoreboard reports and the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments consult the European 5G Observatory.
National and EU publications and press documents
English
- Dutch Digitalisation Strategy
- Broadband Investment Handbook
- Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2022
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27
- Connectivity Action Plan
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
Dutch
- Nederlandse Digitaliseringsstrategie 2021
- Actieplan Digitale Connectiviteit
- Strategie Digitale Economie, November 2022
Contact information
BCO Netherlands (national Broadband Competence Office): Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (Ministerie van Economische Zaken an Klimaat)
Address: Bezuidenhoutseweg 73, 2594 AC The Hague, Netherlands
Contact via email
Phone: +31 611164316
Website
Authority for Consumers & Markets (Autoriteit Consument & Markt)
Address: Muzenstraat 41, 2511 WB Den Haag, Netherlands
Contact via email
Phone: +31 70 7222 000
Website
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Big Picture
Find current information on broadband development in each country, as well as national strategies and policies for developing broadband.
See Also
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Slovenia opts for technological neutrality and market dynamics in developing broadband networks, in particular infrastructure- and service-based competition.
Slovakia has set the long-term objective of providing all households with access to ultra-fast internet by 2030.
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Poland’s national broadband plan 2025 is in line with the EU’s Gigabit Society targets.
Malta’s broadband policy is technology-neutral and favours a competitive market environment.
The development of a communication infrastructure with a target of gigabit broadband access throughout the country is one of the priorities in the governmental programme of Luxembourg.
Lithuania aims to provide 100 Mbps by 2027 to rural areas as well supporting the Gigabit society targets 2025.
Latvia supports the Gigabit society targets and aims at 100 Mbps, upgradable to gigabit, for urban and rural areas as well as 5G coverage for all large urban areas.
The Italian Strategy for Ultra Broadband Towards the Gigabit Society aims to provide gigabit connectivity to all by 2026.
The national broadband plan for Ireland foresees that by 2026 all premises in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband.
Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy 2021-2030 aims to achieve a target of 95% of households covered by gigabit networks by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan 2021-2027 promotes the use of fixed very high capacity and 5G networks. The Greek Digital Transformation Bible 2020-2025 highlights connectivity as one of the five strategic axes and acknowledges the Gigabit Society 2025 targets.
The 2021 coalition agreement, the Digital Strategy and the Gigabit Strategy 2022 of the German Federal Government prioritise the nationwide supply of FTTH and 5G networks.
The national broadband programme France Très Haut Débit sets a target of fast broadband access for all households by 2022 and fibre for all by 2025.
The Finnish authorities favour a competition-driven, fibre-based network roll-out assisted by public funds for underserved areas and advice for local municipalities on how to deploy broadband networks.
Estonia has established basic broadband coverage throughout the country. The Estonian Digital Agenda sets ambitious targets for 2030.
A number of political initiatives aiming at nation-wide fixed and mobile broadband coverage support Danish broadband goals. The Government works towards making Denmark a digital frontrunner by creating a foundation for Danish businesses to exploit digital technologies.
The National Plan for the Development of Very High Capacity Networks, approved in March 2021, defines the strategic approach of the Czech Republic to the construction of VHCN.
Cyprus’ broadband plan sets strategic objectives for 2021-2025 and includes legislative and regulatory interventions as well as practical support for the development of broadband infrastructure.
Croatian National Plan for Broadband Development 2021–2027 responds to the European Gigabit Society objectives 2025 and partially to the 2030 digital targets.
The National Broadband Infrastructure Plan for Next Generation Access "Connected Bulgaria" and the Policy on electronic communications were updated and adopted in August 2020.
Belgium’s broadband strategy is incorporated into a broader policy strategy Digital Belgium. The aim of the national plan for fixed and mobile broadband is to eliminate the remaining white areas where high speed services are unavailable. By lowering costs and reducing...
Austria’s broadband strategy focuses on the nationwide supply of Gigabit connections (fixed and mobile) by 2030.