Users of Internet in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a European country known for its flat landscape of canals, tulip fields and windmills. Its capital, Amsterdam, is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during World War II. Canalside mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city’s 17th-century “Golden Age.”

The Dutch internet penetration rate has risen rapidly over the last decade, reaching 78 percent in 2015 (Internetworldstats). In 2022, it is expected to reach 91 percent. In the meantime, Dutch Internet Netherlands users are becoming increasingly active information producers as well as consumers. This has led to a rise in blogs and social media sites where the Dutch are discussing issues in their own language. The Dutch are also active in international online communities where they discuss topics like politics and current events.

According to GSMA Intelligence, the number of mobile connections in the Netherlands was equivalent to 120.1 percent of its population in January 2022. The country’s cellular subscription base includes both prepaid and postpaid accounts, with the latter being more common among business owners and professionals.

In addition to the high number of fixed network broadband connections, the Netherlands has a comparatively advanced telecom market. Its internet, mobile and broadband penetration rates are all far ahead of the EU average. The report profiles the major operators in the Dutch telecom market, and examines statistics and developments related to technologies such as fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), powerline broadband, wireless broadband and WiFi. It also looks at regulatory issues, such as interconnection, local loop unbundling and number portability.

How Many Users of Internet in the Netherlands

The Netherlands leads the way internationally in terms of teleworking, with around 20 percent of its workforce working at home via their computer. This is considerably higher than in Denmark (18 percent) and Finland (16 percent), and well above the average for south European countries like Italy (3 percent). It is expected that the percentage of teleworkers in the Netherlands will continue to rise, thanks in part to its high internet penetration rate and strong digital infrastructure. In addition, the Netherlands has a low unemployment rate and is one of the wealthiest nations in Europe.

These factors will likely drive further adoption of online work tools, such as conferencing software and video-conferencing systems. This will increase the demand for broadband networks and boost telecommunications revenue in the Netherlands. The country’s extensive cable TV network is particularly well positioned for this trend, with the majority of households receiving FTA broadcasts over this medium. This has helped to support the growth of triple play services which combine fixed broadband, mobile and television services. This has led to a rapid growth of the cable industry in the Netherlands over the past five years, while its satellite TV sector has stagnated.

Despite its commendable achievements in internet infrastructure, the Netherlands faces ongoing challenges in ensuring digital inclusivity and addressing disparities in internet access. While urban areas typically enjoy high-speed broadband connectivity, rural regions may experience slower internet speeds or limited access to fiber-optic networks. Bridging this urban-rural digital divide remains a priority for policymakers and stakeholders, with initiatives underway to extend broadband coverage to underserved communities.