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KPN remains the operator to beat when it comes to download speeds over 5G connections. It continues to beat both its rivals by a sizable margin. Our KPN users observed average download speeds of 147.7 Mbps when connected to 5G, while their counterparts on T-Mobile and Vodafone reported speeds of 121.1 Mbps and 74.6 Mbps, respectively.
In contrast to our previous 5G report, in which KPN was the sole winner of the 5G Upload Speed award, this time around it has to settle for a joint win alongside T-Mobile. Our users reported statistically tied average upload speeds of 39.6 and 37.5 Mbps when connected to KPN and T-Mobile’s 5G networks, respectively, while those on Vodafone observed speeds of 22.4 Mbps.
In our first look at the experience of our users when they use mobile voice apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger over 5G connections, KPN and T-Mobile have come out ahead, with statistically tied scores of 84.1 and 84.6, respectively, on a 100 point scale. However, all three operators placed in the Good (80-87) category for 5G Voice App Experience and Vodafone was close behind with under two points separating its score from the winners. A Good 5G Voice App Experience means that many users were satisfied when using voice apps over 5G networks. However some users experienced minor quality impairments, such as clicking sound or distortion.
Turning to our remaining 5G experiential awards, our users had a similar experience when playing multiplayer mobile games and streaming videos over 5G connections, regardless of their choice of mobile operator. This is because all three operators’ scores are statistically tied for both 5G Games Experience and 5G Video Experience. Impressively, our Dutch 5G users had an Excellent experience — our highest accolade — for both metrics. An Excellent (85 or above) 5G Games Experience means that the vast majority of users deemed this 5G network experience acceptable. Nearly all respondents felt like they had control over the game and they received immediate feedback on their actions. An Excellent (75 or above) 5G Video Experience indicates a very consistent experience across all users, video streaming providers and resolutions tested on 5G networks, with fast loading times and almost non-existent stalling.
For the second time in a row, our T-Mobile users spent the most amount of time connected to 5G. T-Mobile’s score of 19.6% was comfortably ahead of KPN and Vodafone’s, who statistically tied for second-place. 5G Availability is important as users with 5G devices will only benefit from 5G if they spend a significant proportion of time connected to it.
The 5G experience in the Netherlands continues to be competitive. While no single operator has dominated our awards table, KPN and T-Mobile are neck-and-neck, with each scooping up one outright win (5G Download Speed for KPN and 5G Availability for T-Mobile) and four joint wins. In contrast, Vodafone’s haul is limited to the joint wins it picked up for being in the three-way statistical ties for 5G Video Experience and 5G Games Experience.
Once Dutch operators have obtained and deployed 3.5 GHz spectrum, the 5G experience in the Netherlands will improve significantly. However, this spectrum is not due to be auctioned until around April 2022 and the current users of the 3.5 GHz band will have until September 1, 2022, before they have to vacate it. A legal appeal by satellite operator Inmarsat has complicated the auction process. Inmarsat currently uses 3.5 GHz spectrum to provide emergency and safety communications for shipping and aviation. In a preliminary decision on the matter, Rotterdam District Court suspended an amendment to the National Frequency Plan that underpins the clearing of this band for use by mobile operators.
It will be interesting to see what impact — if any — Deutsche Telekom’s intended sale of its T-Mobile Netherlands subsidiary will have on both the bidding and the future dynamics of the Dutch mobile market, assuming a suitable buyer can be found.
In addition to this report, we have published a companion report — Netherlands Mobile Network Experience September 2021 — which analyzes the overall experience of all our mobile users in the country.
| 5G Mobile Experience Awards Netherlands | |||
|---|---|---|---|
September 2021,
Netherlands Report
|
K
KPN
|
T
T-Mobile
|
V
Vodafone
|
5G Video Experience
| |||
5G Games Experience
| |||
5G Voice App Experience
| |||
5G Download Speed
| |||
5G Availability
| |||
5G Upload Speed
| |||
|
Mobile Experience Awards Winners
|
September 2021,
Netherlands
|
|---|---|
|
5G Download Speed
|
K
KPN
|
|
5G Availability
|
T
T-Mobile
|
|
Mobile Experience Awards Draws
|
September 2021, Netherlands
|
|---|---|
|
5G Video Experience
|
K
KPN
T
T-Mobile
V
Vodafone
|
|
5G Games Experience
|
K
KPN
T
T-Mobile
V
Vodafone
|
|
5G Voice App Experience
|
K
KPN
T
T-Mobile
|
|
5G Upload Speed
|
K
KPN
T
T-Mobile
|
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