All four Dutch mobile networks offer 4G availability of over 90 percent, and the networks deliver average speeds of over 40 Mbps, according to the latest tests by OpenSignal. T-Mobile again scored the best, including on speed, with an average of around 50 Mbps over LTE. However, all the operators appear to be approaching peak speeds.
OpenSignal said the results show the Netherlands has some of the best 4G networks in the world. It has not found such high 4G availability in any other European country. The market researcher expects T-Mobile should be able to maintain its dominant position in OpenSignal rankings, especially after its merger with Tele2.
T-Mobile wins 4 of 7 awards
OpenSignal conducted around 312 million measurements from some 20,000 mobile devices over the 3G and 4G networks in the Netherlands. The data was collected from 01 May to 29 June in seven categories. T-Mobile won in four of the seven categories, including the highest download and upload speeds and lowest latency over 4G, as well tying for first in 3G download and latency.
Tele2 and Vodafone were equal for 4G availability at 93 percent. T-Mobile had been the same as the two six months ago in the last OpenSignal measurements, but fell back to 91.5 percent this time. This was still better than KPN, at 90.3 percent.
Vodafone: improvement in 4G speed
In terms of 4G speed, T-Mobile was well ahead of number two KPN, which averaged 43.8 Mbps. Tele2 achieved a speed of 41 Mbps download on average, while Vodafone came last at 36 Mbps. However, Vodafone showed the most improvement compared to six months ago, of 2 Mbps, while the other three showed little change.
OpenSignal said the minimal changes in speed and availability figures suggest there may be little room left for further improvement over LTE for the Dutch operators. The three companies (KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile) with 2G and 3G spectrum have already been deploying these frequencies for carrier aggregation on 4G. Still, the Dutch operators are doing very well compared to other countries.
On 3G, the Dutch operators also showed some improvement. Average speeds at Vodafone (7 Mbps), T-Mobile (6.5) and KPN (5) were all higher than six months ago. However, 3G is becoming less and less important as 4G availability grows. KPN and Vodafone have already announced plans to shut down their 3G networks, in respectively 2022 and 2020.
In terms of latency, T-Mobile scored best at just under 30ms on 4G. KPN's score was stable at 33, while Vodafone and Tele2 showed some improvement, at respectively 37 and 39 ms.
