During the transition from 2025 to 2026, the Dutch once again turned to their smartphones en masse to wish each other a Happy New Year. The KPN network recorded a new all-time high in mobile data usage: 595 terabytes, an increase of 8 percent compared to last year. Despite this enormous load, both KPN's mobile and fixed networks remained stable, allowing millions of people to connect seamlessly.
The number of phone calls and text messages during New Year's Eve remained steady compared to last year. The busiest moment was right after midnight, between 00:05 and 00:10, when network traffic peaked for both data and voice/SMS.
The past year confirmed a clear trend: the Netherlands is spending more time online than ever-both on mobile and fixed networks. While the mobile network experiences spikes during specific moments such as sporting events, lunch breaks, or New Year's Eve, the fixed network has evolved into a platform with consistently high baseline traffic. Streaming, cloud storage, and growing AI usage ensure that internet activity remains elevated throughout the day, not just during peak moments.
Mobile Network: Peaks Driven by Sports and Social MomentsSporting events like Formula 1 races and football matches caused noticeable surges in mobile data usage in 2025. The absolute peak occurred on Sunday, May 18, when Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix, the final round of the Eredivisie took place, PSV officially became Eredivisie champion, and a major protest against the war in Gaza was held in The Hague.
Daily usage patterns also stand out: on weekdays, there's a clear lunch peak between 12:00 and 13:00, while weekends see heavier nighttime traffic, with higher usage between 00:00 and 03:00 than during the week.
Fixed Network: Higher Baseline Load from Smart Devices and CloudNot only did the mobile network peak during New Year's Eve; the fixed network also saw a significant increase. Families connected more devices, shared photos and videos, and used streaming services. New game releases and live sports broadcasts continue to drive traffic. Baseline load on the fixed network was higher during the holidays than in previous years, partly due to the rise of 'always-on' devices and automatic backups. Smart devices, cloud storage, and AI assistants are creating a constant stream of data.
Conclusion: The Netherlands Is More Connected Than EverThe year 2025 confirms the trend: Dutch consumers are spending more time online, on both mobile and fixed networks. While mobile traffic spikes during specific events, the fixed network has become a platform with consistently high baseline usage. These developments highlight the importance of a stable, future-proof network that can keep pace with the evolving digital needs of consumers and businesses.
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Koninklijke KPN NV published this content on January 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 01, 2026 at 09:05 UTC.
