Whether you’re working in your home office, studying at the kitchen table, or propped up with a laptop in bed, it’s impossible to work from home without a reliable internet connection.
Working and studying from the comfort of your house has become especially routine for a few reasons (ahem), and fibre optics are becoming a more popular home instalment.
We answer a few questions you may have about fibre optics in the Netherlands and what you can do to get the fastest internet speeds.
We can imagine how stressful it is moving to a new country and setting up all your utilities, internet included. Luckily, PartnerPete offers consultations about internet services and utilities in general — completely in English!
What are fibre optics?
You don’t have to be a tech genius to (at least, sort of) understand fibre optics! However, if you know nothing, we won’t judge.
Put simply: fibre optics are thin, flexible glass fibres that transmit light signals, most often used for communication technology.
Fibre optic internet services work at lightning speed compared to the usual cable networks — and the best part is that multiple people can use the network at the same time without slowing it down.
Fibre optics aren’t as widespread as cable networks, but they’re becoming more and more available around the world.
READ MORE | Setting up internet in the Netherlands: the complete guide
Does the Netherlands have fibre optics?
That being said, as of 2021, already more than half of all households in the Netherlands have access to fibre optic networks.
It’s expected that nearly 85% of all Dutch households will be able to access fibre optic networks by 2025. But why aren’t fibre optics available all over the Netherlands yet?
At the moment, the use of fibre optics in the Netherlands is still expanding, and it’s easier to get a fibre optic network to your home or business if you live in a larger, metropolitan area.
How much do fibre optics cost in the Netherlands?
Fibre optics used to cost a lot compared to cable networks, but they’ve come down in price since due to more widespread use.
Generally, you can get yourself a good deal on installing fibre optics in the Netherlands if you buy it as part of a utility bundle or package.
For example, if you decide to rent a new home, you can get a deal to pay for your gas, water, and electricity along with a fibre optics network as part of one ‘subscription’.
If that’s not music to your ears, you can alternatively book a TV, mobile phone, and fibre optics plan.
There are a number of factors that will influence how cheap or expensive fibre optics may be for your Dutch home. Fibre-optic internet for your home or office may be more expensive depending on your overall usage, the speed of the internet you want, and where you live/work.
Tip: Other than fibre optics, DSL and cable network connections are used all over the Netherlands. DSL is widely available and cheap but generally less stable than other internet connections. Cable provides a good balance between stable and affordable, and is the go-to internet connection.
It’s also worth noting that you might also need to pay to have the fibre optics network installed and activated.
Why should I opt for fibre optics?
Despite being more expensive than cable networks, fibre optics definitely have their perks.
- Firstly, fibre optic networks usually offer a reliable network with consistent internet service. This is because the fibre optic network can’t be interrupted as easily as cable networks. Who else wants more reliable internet connections?
- Secondly, fibre optics also tend to be much faster than cable networks, and multiple people can use the same network without slowing down the internet connection. Definitely useful if you live in a big household!
- Finally, more and more utility providers are offering fibre optics as part of their services, so you’ll likely be able to find a fibre optics plan that suits all your needs wherever you live in the Netherlands.
Who offers fibre optics in the Netherlands?
There are plenty of internet providers that offer fibre optics in the Netherlands, including KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile.
However, depending on the availability of the providers and where you live — it can sometimes be a real hassle to figure out who offers what services, where, and how much everything will cost.
Thankfully, there’s a service made specifically for tackling this issue. PartnerPete will help you find the perfect internet provider to provide you with fibre optics, along with any other utilities and services you want, completely stress-free and in English!
Internet providers, utilities, and fibre optics in the Netherlands don’t have to be super confusing! Let someone else handle it for you, get that top-notch internet connection, and surf the web to your heart’s content.
Do you have fibre optics installed at home? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in October 2022 and was updated for your reading pleasure in March 2023.