The latest Telecom Monitor from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) reveals that the fiber-optic roll-out in the Netherlands has reached 8.26 million connections, a significant increase from just over two million a decade ago. However, the expansion is not uniform, with certain regions experiencing slower progress.

Despite the overall growth, the report indicates that some areas, particularly rural regions and specific streets in densely populated areas like Amsterdam, still lack fiber-optic infrastructure. The northern provinces of Groningen and Friesland, along with the southern province of Zeeland, are also lagging behind in the roll-out compared to other provinces. In five municipalities, fiber-optic coverage is below 10 percent.

ACM board member Manon Leijten noted the rapid expansion of fiber-optic connections, which fosters competition and consumer choice. However, she acknowledged that options remain limited in certain areas. Innovations such as fixed wireless access are helping to improve connectivity in remote locations.

The report also highlights changing consumer preferences in telecommunications. The demand for bundled services combining telephony, broadband, and television has decreased significantly, while the combination of mobile connections with other services is on the rise. The number of households with landline connections continues to decline, with a notable drop in landline usage over the past quarter.

In conjunction with the Telecom Monitor, the annual Number Issuance Monitor was published, showing a slight increase in mobile number usage, with approximately 53.22 million mobile numbers currently in use. The report indicates that sufficient numbers are still available for all types, despite a steady decline in landline connections.