Fiber-optic internet is currently in high demand in the Netherlands, especially in rural areas where internet connections often leave much to be desired. A large part of the country already has access to this high-speed network, but it may still be some time before all households in the Netherlands are connected to the fiber-optic network. Are you interested in signing up for fiber-optic internet? If so, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you make the right choice. We’ve listed them for you in this article!
Which internet service providers are available at your address?
First of all, it’s obviously helpful to know whether fiber-optic service is even available in your neighborhood right now. You can easily find this out by using the online ZIP code checker. This will let you know right away if fiber-optic service is available in your neighborhood and which providers offer plans in your area. It’s possible that the fiber-optic cabling is already in place, but hasn’t yet been extended to your home. In that case, you’ll need to have that connection installed. In most cases, you’ll have to pay for this yourself, since you didn’t opt for a connection to your home when the network was initially installed. This is therefore important to consider if you’re planning to sign up for a fiber-optic subscription.
Just internet, or TV as well?
These days, fewer and fewer people are signing up for TV subscriptions. This is mainly due to the rise of streaming services. Why pay for a TV subscription if you never watch TV anymore? If you do want a TV subscription, you can also get one through the fiber-optic network. With fiber optic internet, it’s possible to separate your internet and TV services, which is often more difficult with cable. If you have fiber optic internet, you could therefore choose to sign up for your TV subscription with a different provider than your internet subscription. A combined fiber optic subscription is often cheaper than signing up for two separate subscriptions, but that naturally depends on your specific needs.
How much are you willing to pay for your fiber-optic subscription?
People usually choose a fiber-optic plan because they want faster internet or a more stable connection. In most cases, fiber optic is indeed faster, but it may not make a difference compared to your cable connection. This depends on the download speed you choose. If it’s no higher than that of your current cable subscription, your internet connection won’t be faster with fiber optic. In most cases, however, stability does improve, and upload speeds will match download speeds. Before signing up for a plan, determine what speed you really need so you don’t end up paying more than necessary. Do you live in a single-family home? Then an internet speed of 500 Mbps is already more than sufficient, so it would be a waste to choose a higher-speed plan. For businesses with employees, a plan exceeding 500 Mbps is often recommended.
The contract term of the fiber-optic subscription
When you sign up for your new fiber-optic service, you’ll choose a specific contract term. In most cases, you’ll save money overall if you opt for a term of two years or more. In this case, make sure to check whether the contract can be transferred if you move. If not, you’ll have to terminate the contract when you move, and you may have to pay a penalty for early termination. Also, check whether or not connection fees will be charged when you sign up for a subscription. It’s possible that another provider has an offer that waives these fees. Always compare several providers to ensure you get the best price!