Broadband in the Netherlands

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.

Publications and press documents

English

• Dutch Digitalisation Strategy
• Connectivity Action Plan
• Study on National Broadband Plans
• Guide to High-Speed Broadband Investment
• Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
• Mobile and fixed broadband prices in Europe
• Study on broadband coverage in Europe

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