Understanding Dutch Telecommunications and Technology

Understanding Dutch Telecommunications and Technology

Have you ever wondered how the Dutch keep up with modern technology? In a country that is known by its flat horizons, and the world’s most amazing cycling paths, an interesting perspective on the country’s science and technological competencies is at hand. Being one of the most important countries in Europe for research, innovation and technology, the Netherlands has managed to keep its pace with the world’s cutting-edge technology.

In this post, I’m going to give you a comprehensive overview of the Dutch telecommunications infrastructure, and the Netherlands’ contribution to the development of new technologies. From telecommunications to innovative technological initiatives, a growing number of Dutch people are steadily entering the world’s tech scene.
Patrick Schneider @ Unsplash

How Dutch Telecommunications Really Work

The Netherlands have established a strong and reliable telecommunications infrastructure. The Netherlands are well connected with the rest of the world as far as communications are concerned, with an average bandwidth of around 70Mbit/s, which is significantly higher than the international average of 58Mbit/s. What’s even more impressive is that the country has managed to achieve a staggering 82Mbit/s average bandwidth on mobile.
Daniela Cuevas @ Unsplash

The Dutch broadband infrastructure is supported by the national telecommunication providers, the regional municipals, and the various regional and local governments. ISPs like KPN, Ziggo and XS4ALL are offering superfast internet connections, and their networks are constantly improving. With its 80Mbit/s 4G LTE network, KPN is considered one of the most advanced telecom providers in the world.

Bringing Innovation to Life

In the past decade, the Dutch tech scene has become a hub for innovation and creativity. There is a large number of inspiring companies and start-ups, established or aspiring to become the game changers of their respective sectors.

Start-ups such as The Magnetic Grid, Picnic, and Takeaway.com which provides online food ordering, have had great success on the market. Others, like TomTom, the world’s leading supplier of digital maps and navigation services, have become huge success stories. The Netherlands have also become a dynamism in 3D printing, with a number of start-ups driving the technology forward.

These developments are being taken to the next level by Netherland-based research labs, like Holst Centre and PharmaFabrick, that are working on translating cutting-edge tech into practical applications. Moreover, the Dutch universities are contributing to this drive by performing applied research in the areas of telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The rise of technologies like AI and IoT has ushered in the 4th industrial revolution, and the Netherlands seem poised to take full advantage of it. From smart city infrastructure management to autonomous transportation and innovative eco-friendly solutions, the Dutch are at the forefront of research, development and implementation of new technologies.

Conclusion

The Netherlands is without a doubt one of the most exciting technological hubs in Europe. With its modern telecommunications infrastructure, a multitude of inspiring start-ups, and innovative research and development projects, there is no doubt that the Dutch are well on their way to becoming a truly world-leading ‘smart-nation.’

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