nuOct 20, 2026, 12:53

Super-fast internet is gaining ground, but many households can get by with less

A quarter of Dutch internet subscriptions now offer speeds of at least 1 Gbps, despite most households only needing a fraction of that capacity. The Authority for Consumers and Markets warns that providers often upsell unnecessary speeds and advises consumers to compare contracts to avoid overpaying. Additionally, new data shows a discrepancy between the number of potential fiber connections and actual indoor installations.

According to the latest Telecommonitor report from the Authority for Consumers and Markets, one-quarter of internet subscriptions in the Netherlands now reach speeds of 1 gigabit per second or higher. Despite this growth, experts note that most households only require speeds between 50 and 100 Mbps to function effectively. Consumers are frequently encouraged by providers to purchase faster, more expensive packages through upselling tactics or biased online tools, leading many to pay for capacity they do not actually use. The regulator also highlights that loyal customers often pay more than newcomers and advises users to regularly compare contracts.

Furthermore, the report clarifies discrepancies in fiber-optic availability. While providers report coverage for over 9 million locations, cables are only installed inside roughly 6.69 million homes. The regulator now distinguishes between potential access points and actual indoor installations to provide more transparency. Currently, only 3.75 million of these fiber connections have an active internet subscription, illustrating a significant gap between infrastructure availability and consumer adoption.

Economy Technology Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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