This article is sponsored by prijsvergelijken.nl
Are you moving to The Netherlands and trying to figure out how to get a good internet connection? If you don’t want to end up with a slow internet speed or bad customer support, then this article is for you.
These are the 3 steps to take before getting connected to broadband:
1. Find out the connection possibilities at your address
Have you already considered what internet speed you’re going to need? Overall, the Netherlands is pretty well known for its high internet speeds. However, that doesn’t mean that a great speed is guaranteed for you. It depends on a lot of things. For instance it depends on the connections that are available at your address.
There are different types of connections in the Netherlands:
• DSL: this is a connection that uses the phone line. It’s available at almost every Dutch address and tends to be one of the cheaper possibilities. However, the internet speeds can vary depending on address. If you can get a high speed with DSL, it’s a good option to consider.
• Cable: this connection uses the TV cable. If cable is available where you live, you unfortunately can’t choose a different cable provider. The biggest cable provider in the Netherlands is Ziggo. If cable is available, you can get good speeds.
• Fibre: unlike the other connections, fibre is a connection specifically made for internet. This is why it’s the best option when you want a high speed – both download speeds and upload speeds. Fibre is usually a bit more expensive and not available at a lot of addresses.
Before considering what ISP to go for, you should first check the possible connections at your address. Note that even if some providers offer a high speed, that doesn’t always mean it will be available to you. Don’t worry. You can find the offered speed as well as the actual speed at your address when you go to Prijsvergelijken.nl. All in English of course.
2. Consider your internet usage requirements
Now that you know what the possibilities are, it’s time to make a list of your requirements. For instance:
• What kind of internet speed is necessary? For example: if you love online gaming, you might want more than just the standard speeds;
• Do you want to watch (Dutch) TV? Or will a mere broadband connection be enough?
• Can you go a day without internet when there’s an outage? Or do you need a fast customer support who can help you at once?
It goes without saying that if you’re an intensive user of your broadband connection, you’ll benefit more from a speedy connection. If you’re not on the internet 24/7 or you don’t care for ginormous speeds, it’s okay to go for a cheaper subscription with a lower internet speed. These are estimations of what you will need:
• Light broadband use
Are one or more of these applicable to you?
◦ you use internet on 1 – 3 devices at the same time
◦ you use broadband to e-mail or surf on websites
◦ you regularly stream Netflix with 1 – 2 persons
A speed of 20 – 30 Mbps is more than enough. This is usually a possibility with DSL.
• Basic broadband use
Are one or more of these applicable to you?
◦ you use internet on 3 – 5 devices at the same time
◦ you sometimes use broadband to send large files, like pictures or videos
◦ you regularly stream Netflix with 3 – 5 persons
A speed of 50 Mbps will be enough. You can get this with DSL (depends on your address), cable or fibre.
• Intensive broadband use
Are on or more of these applicable to you?
◦ you use internet on 5 – 10 devices at the same time
◦ you regularly use broadband to send large files, like pictures or videos on multiple devices
◦ you stream Netflix daily with 5 – 10 persons or game online
Go for a speed of at least 100 Mbps. This is in most cases only available with cable or fibre.
If 100 Mbps still isn’t enough, you can consider opting for 500 or even 1,000 Mbps, if that’s available at your address. But we would recommend choosing 100 Mbps first, as this will be enough in most cases.
3. Compare internet provider prices and options
If you know broadly what kind of speed and extra options you want, you are ready to compare ISPs. This way, you can see everything they offer and at what price. That’s how you know you will get the best possible outcome based on your needs and budget.
Not sure of your choice? Don’t hesitate to contact the English speaking customer support of Prijsvergelijken. They can help you with all your questions.
First published 2020, last update 31 August 2023.
