Best Netherlands mobile networks – coverage, speed, and 5G quality 

Finding the best mobile operator has a significant impact on your daily life, whether you’re working, studying, or traveling. In this article, we will review the best Netherlands mobile networks and operators: KPN (Koninklijke), Vodafone, and Odido. 5G coverage, speed, and prices. Let’s take a closer look at the Dutch mobile market to help you make the right decision.

What is the mobile market like in the Netherlands?

According to Statista, despite its small size, the Netherlands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Therefore, the issue of communication and access to the Internet is more relevant than ever. The Netherlands is famous for its well-developed telecommunications infrastructure and has one of the most advanced mobile markets in Europe.

There is more than one major carrier operating here. KPN, Vodafone, Odido cover almost the entire country. High competition stimulates price reduction and technology development.

5G / 4G

The country is actively implementing 5G. The first commercial networks appeared in 2020. Now, all major players propose 5G, but the coverage isn’t perfect yet. It is best in big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. In rural areas, the connection is mostly 4G, although 5G is gradually expanding.

Is there much competition?

The market is dominated by three Netherlands mobile networks: KPN, Vodafone, and Odido. They control most of the market and deliver similar service packages. Competition forces carriers to improve services, reduce prices, and expand coverage. New companies rarely appear because maintaining your own network is expensive. 

However, MVNOs are commonplace. These are virtual mobile operators that don’t have their own infrastructure (towers and network equipment) but rent it from large carriers. They run their own tariff packages, often reducing prices or offering flexible terms. Country MVNOs are often targeted at tourists, immigrants, or users looking for low-cost prepaid plans. The main disadvantage is that the priority in connection speed may be lower than for the main carriers’ customers. 

What is the communication coverage and quality?

Almost the entire territory of the country has a stable 4G connection. The network quality is high, even on trains and subways. 

According to the Speedtest Global Index for January 2025, the Netherlands is among the top 15 countries in the world in terms of Internet speed. 

According to this data, the country demonstrates a mobile Internet download speed of 170.7 Mbps with a 19 ms latency. These are quite high results among other European countries.

What are the difficulties?

• Rates for tourists. Many contract plans are available only for residents. Tourists have to use prepaid SIM cards, which have less favorable conditions. Some providers sell special travel packages, but they are usually more expensive than local rates.
• Registration for contract plans. To sign up for a contract plan, you need to have a local bank account and residential address. This makes it difficult for new immigrants and temporary residents who haven’t yet completed all the necessary paperwork.
• Difference in 5G coverage. Despite the rapid 5G deployment, the quality of communication depends on the operator and location. The signal is steady in densely populated areas, but there are still “white spots” in less urbanized areas.
• High cost of mobile services. Compared to some other European countries, tariffs in the Netherlands may seem high. This is especially true for the Internet for those without a contract plan. The price starts at €19 per month.
• Restrictions on unlimited Internet. Many Dutch mobile networks advertise “unlimited” packages, but in practice they have hidden speed limits after using a certain amount of traffic.

3 Top Netherlands mobile networks

Now let’s finally take a more in-depth look at the mobile operators of this country. Each of them tries to provide clients with the maximum to gain loyalty and commitment. 

KPN (Koninklijke)

KPN is the oldest and one of the largest mobile network managers and Internet providers in the Netherlands. Founded in the XIX century as a telecommunications company, Koninklijke today covers a wide range of services: Internet, fixed telephony, and television.

KPN has one of the widest coverage areas across the country, including remote regions. Their network supports 4G, and the company is actively implementing 5G for even faster connections. As you can see on the map, 5G (shown in purple) is available in almost every part of the country. This is a great result, as customers have super-fast Internet. In remote areas, you can easily use 4G with almost no delays in video and audio communication. 

The mobile company offers a variety of mobile tariffs, including prepaid SIM cards and contracts with a large amount of data. They also have packages that include communication along with Internet, TV, and fixed-line telephony.

The price of the tariff packages starts at €21.50 per month. This includes speeds of up to 50 Mbps, unlimited data, up to 40 GB of shared data, and 40 GB per month in the EU. The cheapest package costs €11.50. It contains only unlimited calls/SMS or 150 minutes/SMS.

Vodafone

Vodafone is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. It focuses on mobile services, but also delivers Internet and TV solutions.

The Netherlands mobile network has strong coverage, especially in cities and industrial areas. Their network supports 4G and 5G. It is an attractive choice for those who need a high-speed connection. 

The provider gives contracts with various mobile tariffs, including unlimited data, SMS, and calls. They have prepaid SIM cards and special packages for tourists. Vodafone also serves corporate clients, including Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and corporate mobile options.

As you see from the map, the coverage isn’t as extensive as KPN’s, but it still provides strong connectivity in every region.

The cheapest tariff plan starts at €15 per month. For this payment, you get 3 GB of Internet, 5G, 150 minutes of calls, and unlimited SMS. The most expensive one costs €32.50. You receive unlimited calls, SMS, GB, and 50 GB per month in the EU.

Odido

Odido is the new brand under which T-Mobile Netherlands and Tele2 Mobiel merged in September 2023. This combination created the largest mobile operator in the Netherlands. 5G technologies are most developed in the central and southern regions. 4G coverage is active in the north.

The carrier has a wide range of tariff plans, including prepaid and contract options with data, calls, and SMS. Special deals for families and business clients are also available. 

The cheapest tariff is 2 GB + 120 minutes for calls. The speed is up to 300 Mbps, and international calls are also available. The price is €14. The most expensive package costs €49.50 – unlimited premium speeds up to 1 Gbps and up to 3 additional services (costing up to €19.95) of your choice.

Netherlands MVNOs

The MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) system is a model where companies deliver services without having their own infrastructure for signal transmission. Instead, they lease the network from a larger carrier that owns the physical towers and equipment, such as large companies such as KPN, Vodafone, or Odido.

List of MVNOs Operating in the Netherlands

Why are MVNO systems popular?

Specialization in certain niches

Many MVNOs are focused on certain customer groups. For example, Lebara is popular among people who frequently call abroad, while Lycamobile may be interesting for those looking for cheap options without unnecessary features. This specialization allows companies to deliver services that better meet the needs of specific market segments.

Competition and innovation

MVNOs drive competition in the cellular industry because they force major operators to reduce prices and enhance services. This enables MVNOs to innovate and be more versatile in providing new tariffs, bargains, or added-value services, e.g., mobile banking or app integration. 

Easy switching between operators

Thanks to legislative initiatives that make it easy to switch operators without losing your number (for example, number portability), MVNOs can acquire clients looking for better deals. This is convenient if users don’t want to be tied to large carriers with long contracts.

Why is it popular?

MVNOs are popular in the Netherlands for several reasons:

• The country has a developed telecommunication infrastructure, and many people want to find the most favorable options for mobile communication.
• The Netherlands has one of the highest 4G and 5G mobile network coverages in the world, allowing MVNOs to provide high-quality, low-cost services.
• Consumers are constantly looking for ways to save, and MVNOs seem like a viable alternative.

As such, MVNOs are popular due to their ability to deliver cheaper and more flexible options for users looking for the best possible deal for their mobile communication needs.

Summing up

In short, the three main Netherlands mobile networks are available. KPN boasts the widest reach in the Netherlands, particularly across rural parts of the country, and new-generation services like 5G Standalone for lightning-fast connectivity. Vodafone features a special OneNumber function that enables you to share one number across multiple devices, e.g., a smartwatch, without a separate SIM card. Odido cites unlimited tariffs and gigabit home broadband, combining mobile and landline service with offers.

Remember that the modern alternative to physical SIM cards is the eSIM – a digital SIM card that helps you avoid the hassle of finding SIM cards abroad. It is an excellent choice for those who value mobility, convenience, and environmental friendliness. Ohayu can connect you to operators in the Netherlands and has 3 GB packages starting from $7.49.

Go ahead, choose the data amount, enjoy the connection without limits, and make your next trip more comfortable.

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Article by Filip Kopycki

Founder’s Associate at Ohayu

Filip specializes in mobile communications market analysis and business research. With a background in economics, he focuses on network performance, pricing, and eSIM adoption trends worldwide.