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Broadband Internet Access In The Netherlands





DSL

Five DSL network service providers with approx. 2.5 million broadband subscribers (60%):

KPN has nearly 100% coverage and other networks have 50-70% coverage.

KPN has four ISP brands: Direct ADSL, HetNet, Planet and XS4ALL . HetNet and Planet used to be separate companies, but they were bought and integrated into KPN and are now only brand names. KPN has in recent years acquired several other ISPs. None of their brand names were adopted by KPN and they ceased to exist.

XS4ALL is owned, but not run by KPN. XS4ALL was the first ISP in the Netherlands which offered internet access to the general public and is used by KPN as a main innovator and for that reason reserved the right to run its own affairs. KPN has acquired even more customers by XS4ALL taking over ISPs as well. These include Cistron, HCCnet and most recently the Dutch branch of Demon internet.

KPN intends to purchase Tiscali Wholesale but is awaiting approval from the Netherlands Competition Authority (Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit) (September 2006).

Typical up- and download rates of KPN:
  • 1500/256 kbit/s from €21.95 - €29.95

  • 3000/512 kbit/s from €29.95 - €39.95

  • 6000/768 kbit/s from €49.95 - €59.95

  • 12000/1024 kbit/s from €74.95 - €79.95 (only available on local exchanges with ADSL2+ equipment)

  • 20000/1024 kbit/s for €99,95 (only available on local exchanges with ADSL2+ equipment)


HetNet also offers lower speeds. The first rate is for Direct ADSL (only an internet connection without emailboxes and other services) and the second rate is for XS4ALL (high quality ISP).

For other networks prices tend to be lower and speeds higher:
  • Tele2 offers 20000/1024 kbit/s with telephony ( VoIP ) and live soccer games of the Dutch competition (IPTV) for €59.95

  • Orange offers 20000/1024 kbit/s for €23.95


In 2005 with four ethernet ports, WiFi , USB and two telephone ports). This is a direct result of the VoIP services offered by other network providers. In 2007 KPN will also begin to offer Mine ( IPTV with VoD ). In 2010 KPN plans to offer VDSL on an All-IP network and plans to dismantle the PSTN / POTS network and the local exchanges to compete with the cable companies.


Cable

The five largest Cable network service providers with approx. 1.6 million broadband subscribers (40%):
  • 15%: @Home

  • 13%: UPC

  • 8%: Casema

  • 3%: Multikabel

  • 2%: Delta


These networks are based on the Euro DOCSIS standard and are VoIP capable based on the PacketCable standard. The three largest cable providers UPC, @Home and Casema have a combined market share of 92% of the broadband cable subscribers. Several other small local cable (internet) providers exist. Typically there is no choice for consumers as to their cable provider, as it is location dependent.

Also for cable networks prices tend to be lower and speeds higher than KPN:
  • UPC offers a maximum speed of 20480/2048 kbit/s with telephony (VoIP) for €59.95

  • @Home offers a maximum speed of 15000/1200 kbit/s for €69.95

  • Casema offers a maximum speed of 12500/1050 kbit/s for €69,95


@Home, Casema and Multikabel are bought by Private Equity investors and will be combined to form one large cable network (September 2006).