Netherlands Fiber Optic Tender

The ACM Authority for Consumers and Markets published a report in which it provides an up-to-date description and vision of the development of the fiber optic roll-out in the Netherlands.According to ACM the roll-out of fiber optics in the Netherlands is going well. Plenty of fiber is being installed by KPN and other parties. The ACM report makes it clear that its concerns in 2019 about possible delays were addressed by market parties. With the current pace of rollout almost all of the Netherlands could be equipped with fiber optics well before 2030.KPN is replacing its fixed copper network with a fiber optic network. It is currently active in more than 50 municipalities in more than 100 areas. KPN previously announced its ambition to have approximately 65 of Dutch households connected to fiber by 2025. KPN achieves this by connecting 500000 addresses per year to fiber especially in urban areas. With the recently announced collaboration with ABP more than 900000 addresses in villages and business parks will be connected to fiber optics in the coming years. As a result approximately 80 of Dutch households will have a fiber-optic connection in-house from KPN or through the collaboration with ABP by the end of 2026. If the efforts of other parties are added to this that percentage is even higher.The regulator outlines in its report that in certain urban areas there is room for two or more fiber optic networks in addition to cable. This gives citizens more choice assuming that these are open networks just as with KPN.Local cooperation is improving in order to complete this important development for the Netherlands as quickly as possible. According to ACM municipalities play a crucial role in ensuring that the installation of fiber optic by parties runs smoothly locally while minimizing inconvenience to the public. KPN endorses this wholeheartedly and would like to work together with municipalities and other parties to realize construction for everyone as quickly as possible.