ACM Telecom Monitor for Q2 2024: all-time peak of mobile-data consumption

In the second quarter of 2024, all Dutch consumers combined consumed a staggering 597 million gigabytes in mobile data, which is an all-time peak. This is revealed by the Telecom Monitor for Q2 2024, published by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) on October 7. The monitor also reveals that the trends observed in previous quarters have continued. More and more consumers switch to fiber-optic plans. In addition, less than half of all Dutch households still have landlines.

The number of households that take out services over coax or copper cables has decreased further. The roll-out of fiber-optic connections is progressing steadily, just like the number of consumers that switches to this connection type. In total, over 7.69 million households now have fiber-optic connections right in front of their homes. Of that group, 2.99 million have fiber-optic plans. When comparing the various roll-outs of fiber-optic connections, the Netherlands is in the vanguard of Europe. However, some parts of the Netherlands are still lagging behind, according to the monitor’s fiber-optic map. In those areas, less fiber-optic is available than in other parts of the country. These areas include parts of the northern province of Groningen, of the western provinces of Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland, and of the southern provinces of Zeeland and Limburg. However, ACM also sees that, in these areas, a considerable number of fiber-optic connections was added.

Trends in telephony

Compared with the previous quarter, fewer calls were made and fewer texts were sent over mobile phones. At the same time, mobile data consumption saw a big increase. We consumed 597 million gigabytes of data, which is an increase of 48 million gigabytes compared with the previous quarter. That is the highest peak ever recorded. The once so popular combination of telephony, broadband, and television with the same provider decreased even further this past quarter. The number of landlines went down 1.83% to 4.15 million connections. That means that less than half of Dutch households still use landlines these days.

Market shares

Telecom operators KPN and VodafoneZiggo dominate the broadband market, each having a market share of 35% - 45%. However, VodafoneZiggo’s market share did drop slightly compared with the previous quarter (40% - 45%). On the mobile market, KPN is now level with Odido (both having a market share of 30%-35%). As a result of the recent acquisition of Youfone, KPN has gained many mobile customers.

About the monitor

Each quarter, ACM publishes the Telecom Monitor. It gives an overview of the trends and developments in the telecom sector. The largest market participants in the telecom industry regularly submit data about their activities to ACM for the Telecom Monitor. ACM checks this information and, in that way, keeps a close watch on the trends and developments on the different markets. This data serves as a key foundation for ACM’s analyses. The trends and developments are presented in an interactive dashboard, which everybody can access.

Market scan and consumer survey

ACM is also working on a market scan, which is expected to be published by late December. With this scan, ACM expects to get an up-to-date picture of competition on the fixed and mobile broadband markets. The annual consumer survey into the telecom market will be published around the same time, in which ACM measures switching behavior, price perceptions, confidence in the market, and appreciation of the market among consumers. These findings, too, will be taken into consideration in the market scan.

More in this case

10-10-2024 ACM Telecom Monitor for Q2 2024 (in Dutch)
24-06-2024 ACM Telecom Monitor for Q1 2024 (in Dutch)

Search