Want to cancel your phone subscription?
Download Dyme
Livia SpiesDid you know that Holland has 44 mobile providers, but just 3 networks? The networks are owned by T-Mobile, KPN and Vodafone. All 44 providers use just these 3 networks. Nevertheless, Dutch providers are among the best in the world when it comes to networks. Compared to the rest of Europe their mobile service and network speed are unprecedented. The Dutch market is very competitive and innovative, which means telecom providers need to keep up to survive.
A competitive market is ideal for consumers. However, service problems and loss of internet connection do occur.
Not good, obviously. As consumers with bad service are more likely to cancel their subscription or switch providers. To save you these struggles we have ranked 10 Dutch providers based on their service area and network speed.
Every year German research bureau P3 does a worldwide test of mobile networks. This year T-Mobile came out on top as best provider. And worth mentioning is that they were best provider in 2018, 2017 and 2016 as well.
This does not mean that Vodafone and KPN are slacking. They were on T-Mobile's heels and compared to the rest of Europe they’re well above average. Vodafone made third pace in the Netherlands this year, however in other West-European countries they came in at first place.
The 4G network allows for fast internet on your mobile phone. It’s the successor of 3G and stands for ‘fourth generation’. However, it’s not just used to access the internet, some providers offer phone calls through 4G as well. Phone calls on the 4G network are made through VoLTE and VoWiFi. Because of this your service is even better and the internet speed is always top notch.
In first place we ranked Tele2, which recently merged with T-Mobile. These two providers share their own network with other providers. This means they cover a large area of Holland with their service.
Furthermore, Tele2 is often cheaper than other telecom providers and has the shortest waiting times on their customer service lines.
T-Mobile has the best network in all of Holland and is a pioneer when it comes to 4- and 5G-networks. When using T-Mobile as your phone provider you can be certain of good cellular service and fast internet.
You can adapt your plan to suit your needs and how much you’d like to spend. Also, the customer service is easy to contact through online chat.
Ben is a low-cost provider, which means many cheap plans are available. They often have special deals on offer and their customer service is excellent. As a side note it’s worth mentioning that Ben doesn’t have their own network and uses the one owned by T-Mobile.
The cheapest Dutch telecom provider is Youfone and it uses the KPN network.
Even though they are the cheapest provider their service is still very good and consumers are able to access high speed internet. The customer service is adequate and can help consumers with most of their issues.
Simpel is the go-to provider for cheap sim-only plans. However, the low price does mean slower internet and a mediocre customer service. Despite the slow internet, the cellular service is good. Simpel uses the T-Mobile network.
KPN might be one of the most expensive providers, but you do get a lot in return. With its outstanding network, KPN offers the fastest possible internet speed. Besides, KPN’s customer service is accessible 24 hours a day, even on the weekend.
Lebara is a unique provider as it mainly focuses on phone calls made to phone numbers outside Holland. When it comes to these types of calls they are cheaper than other providers. And also, their customer service is very good. Unfortunately, their download speed is very slow.
Simyo is a slightly more expensive sim-only plan. But this means you get an excellent customer service and good KPN network in return. However, the internet speed is not as fast as that of KPN.
Hollandsnieuwe is part of Vodafone and is the low-cost option of this provider. They have a unique concept which means minutes, texts and data are all paid out of one payment plan.
Vodafone recently merged with Ziggo. This means the Vodafone customer service is more interested in selling you Ziggo subscriptions than helping customers, which is not ideal. Having said this, their network has a large 4G coverage and good cellular service.
Determining which provider is the best fit is not easy. Many more determining factors than just cellular service are of importance.You need to take into account price, customer service and other specifications providers might use to stand out. In theory KPN has the fastest network, but T-Mobile was rated highest by P3. Moreover, all providers use the same three networks owned by KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile. All of these factors contribute to the fact that picking the best provider is not an easy task. When picking a mobile phone provider, be wary of internet speed and cellular coverage in your area.
Luckily, telecom providers keep enhancing their networks. This means every provider keeps getting better and better. But it also means that your experience with different providers might differ throughout the years. So it’s profitable to keep looking out for the best deal when your contract comes to an end.
Have you heard about our app? The Dyme apps gives you a complete overview of your finances, so you are always in control of your money. Our smart technology generates overviews of your income and expenses automatically, so you do not have to waste your time doing it manually. We will also help you save money. The average Dyme user currently saves €720 per year on his/her recurring expenses! Want to know how much you could save? Download Dyme
Have you heard about our app? The Dyme app gives you a complete overview of your finances, so you are always in control of your money. Our smart technology generates overviews of your income and expenses automatically, so you do not have to waste your time doing it manually. We will also help you save money. The average Dyme user currently saves €800 per year on their recurring expenses! Want to know how much you could save? Download Dyme
