The share of individuals with access to the internet grew from 80 percent in 2012 to approximately 96.3 percent in 2019. To put it in perspective, only Luxembourg and Norway had a higher percentage of broadband internet usage than the Netherlands. Furthermore, the share of individuals using internet through their smartphone saw a steady increase.
The smartphone penetration rate grew from approximately 70 percent in 2014 to 93 percent in 2019. Narrowing the penetration rate of phones down to age, it is not surprising that young people had the highest usage rate. Nearly 99 percent of 13- to 19-year-old individuals indicated to use a smartphone, whereas the 50-64 age group was less with approximately 80 percent. The functionality of the smartphone has one clear use among consumers: going online. 86 percent of the online population used their phone for surfing on the internet. Social media, on the other hand, was used by 68 percent, whereas banking was done by a little over 50 percent of respondents.
With the rise of mobile phones and the wireless service provisions, quad play packages (also known as ''The Fantastic Four'') became more popular year by year. Quad play packages combine triple play service of broadband internet access, television and telephone with wireless service provisions. As of the fourth quarter of 2019, 25 percent of the retail connections of bundles services were quad play, compared to 13 percent in 2016.
The Dutch telecommunications market is an intense and competitive one. With so many options available for clients, providers do everything to grab the consumers attention. New developments such as cooperation between providers shifts the market, forcing other players in the market to adapt.
