Dutch consumers still think fibre is the technology of the future, cable comes close

Houten, The Netherlands, 10 June 2014 – For download speeds up to 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps cable is the most mentioned infrastructure for the future. When 200 Mbps is needed 60 percent of the Dutch consumers think they need fibre, according to research by Telecompaper.  

Dutch consumers were asked which type of broadband connection they think they will need in the future to get a 50, 100 or 200 Mbps download speed. In previous years cable was the most popular technology when 50 Mbps is needed in the future, but for 100 and 200 Mbps most people chose fibre.

In the research conducted in March- May 2014 most Dutch consumer chose cable for the 50 as well as the 100 Mbps speed. For 200 Mbps fibre is still the most popular type of future technology, but this percentage is also declining. This rise of cable’s popularity as future technology might be due to intensified marketing and sales activities of cable companies in neighbourhoods that are connected to fibre.

50 Mbps is already quite common and no longer considered something only for the future like it was when we first conducted this survey in 2009. Over one in five Dutch households already have a 50 Mbps download speed. This is even higher at households that have a cable or fibre broadband connection.

The share of households that have fibre doubled over the past three years. Because of fibre’s growth, the share of cable remained stable over the past four years, while DSL’s share has been decreasing. In 2011 42% of all households had DSL, in 2014 only 31% was connected to DSL.

The survey also looked at what upload speed consumers currently have and what they think they will need in future. Almost three quarters of consumers are unaware of their current upload speed. Almost half are also uncertain if they will ever need a 50 Mbps upload speed. Over one in five think such a speed may be needed in (the near) future.

The report ‘Dutch Consumer Connected 2014’ is based on the Telecompaper Consumer Panel. The online survey was conducted between March and May 2014 among almost 15,000 consumers aged 12-80. The report also shows the results for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Results are CBS stratified for education, age and gender. In addition, the report offers findings on what people find important regarding their broadband connection and their feelings on several statements about fibre. Some results are split by household income, age group and broadband technologies. Single user price for the report is EUR 1,050. The price for 10 users is EUR 1,750.

Telecompaper

Telecompaper is an independent research company. We publish the latest information about the global telecom industry and provide our international customers with need-to-know information and market insight via news feeds, newsletters, research and advisory services. Telecompaper has its main office in Houten (the Netherlands). The company was established in June 2000. Single user price for the report is EUR 1,050. The price for 10 users is EUR 1,750.