Holland is one of the most wired countries in the world. Almost every household has cable tv and the majority of the population is connected to the internet, which is cheaper than in many other European countries.

I you are looking for a broadband internet connection, you have to choose between 'kabel' (cable) and adsl. Many cable and adsl providers offer cheap packages where you get a combination of internet, fixed phone, and sometimes television.

Adsl internet

Adsl internet requires a fixed phone line. Your provider will provide you with a splitter and usually a modem/router to enable you to use a regular phone line next to your adsl connection.

The Netherlands hosts a lot of companies offering adsl subscriptions. Montly subscriptions rates start from less than € 10 for a speed up to 10 Mb p/s. There is no monthly limit for your internet traffic (bandwidth); the Dutch internet providers employ a 'fair use policy'.

The main adsl providers are Alice, Telfort, Tele2, UPC, Xs4All, Het Net, Ziggo, KPN, CompuServe, and Orange.

The links take you to Shop ADSL, where you can compare and buy adsl subscriptions from all Dutch adsl providers. Another cable/adsl comparison site is de Breedbandwinkel (the 'broadband shop').

Enter your postal code below to check the availability of cable and adsl:

Cable internet

Cable internet is provided by the six cable providers that also provide cable television.

Dial-up

Since broadband internet has become the standard in the Netherlands, dial-up internet providers are hard to find. If you find yourself stuck without a broadband connection and you have a phone modem in your computer, you can dial up to the internet through www.inbellen.org. Registration is not required.