NLziet
The video market has already been enriched with the launch of Amazon Prime and Wuaki, with YouTube Red likely to launch, too. However, the most important change will be the addition of live TV to NLziet, the OTT platform run by the biggest broadcasters - NPO, RTL and SBS. This is planned to happen later in 2017 and will remove an important reason against cord-cutting: the availability of the ten most popular channels live, online (the three public channels from NPO, five RTL channels and four SBS channels).
This is grist to the mill for single-play broadband providers, such as Tweak and the local operators Jonaz and NetRebel. It could even prompt the cable operators to introduce a broadband-only option. This changes the status of live TV, from the last bastion of traditional players (to ward off cord-cutting) to a USP for OTT providers (such as Play van KPN and T-Mobile's Knippr).
Convergence
The market is currently focused on bundling services in multi-plays - triple-play and increasingly quad-play. T-Mobile NL profiles itself as 'mobile-first' - despite its recent takeover of Vodafone's fixed activities. But once it integrates the takeover, T-Mobile will undoubtedly launch its own converged offer of fixed and mobile services.
Unlimited data
In terms of new communication services, we noted recently the new service Digits from T-Mobile US as a candidate for the Dutch market. It blurs the lines between fixed and mobile and makes a phone number independent of the device. T-Mobile Netherlands also recently launched its taboo-breaking Go Unlimited plans. Tele2 gave a notable response, saying T-Mobile's offer "underlines what we have already said. It's good to take off the hand brake." In short, Tele2 will be the first to follow T-Mobile example of offering unlimited data.
In this changing market, with new services and a bigger role for OTT providers, price pressure plays an important role. Continued consolidation can be expected.
