ACM Telecom Monitor: larger increase in mobile-data consumption in first half of 2019

The volume of data that Dutch consumers consume with their mobile phones continues to increase. In the first half of 2019, they consumed 18 percent more data than in the second half of 2018. The increase in data consumption is a trend that has been visible for a long time already, but this increase is larger than before. Average data consumption per mobile connection reached 3 gigabyte per month in the second quarter of 2019. This is one of the conclusions of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) in its Telecom Monitor for the first and second quarters of 2019.

With regard to fixed telephony, both the turnover and the number of voice minutes have decreased, which is a trend that has been visible for a long time now. On the other hand, mobile telephony keeps on growing. The number of bundles that combine mobile and fixed plans continues to grow. Such bundles combine, for example, television, fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile services. The number of bundles that only consist of broadband, fixed telephony and/or television services has decreased. ACM has observed a shift from traditional to digital services with regard to these fixed services. For example, the number of traditional phone connections, such as PSTN and ISDN, continues to decrease.

Broad roll-out of fiber-optic necessary for a future-ready telecom network

The number of fiber-optic connections increased to 1,324,000 connections, in part at the expense of the number of copper connections, which showed a slight decline. In October 2019, ACM published the results of an exploratory study into the roll-out of fiber-optic in the Netherlands. The conclusion of this study is that fiber-optic connections offer consumers more freedom of choice in addition to the existing cable network. That freedom of choice acts as an incentive for providers to work efficiently and to continue to innovate. Both networks are necessary to meet the growing demand for fast broadband internet. Even though the number of fiber-optic connections is rising steadily, the roll-out itself is lagging behind, especially in urban areas.

Market shares on the fixed broadband market

KPN and VodafoneZiggo continue to be the largest providers of broadband internet, with market shares of 40 to 45 percent. The market shares of other providers, such as T-Mobile/Tele2, amounted to between 0 and 5 percent in the first half of 2019.

About the Telecom Monitor

Every six months, ACM publishes the market figures for the telecommunication sector in its Telecom Monitor. Based on data from the most important market participants in the telecom industry, the Telecom Monitor gives an overview of the trends and developments in mobile services, fixed telephony, broadband, television, business network services, and bundles.