Introduction
The Internet of Things in the Netherlands is rapidly transforming industries, cities, and daily life. With robust digital infrastructure, nationwide NB-IoT and LTE-M coverage, and strong public-private collaboration, the country stands as a European leader in smart connectivity. This blog explores how the Netherlands is leveraging IoT technologies to build a more efficient, sustainable, and connected future.
The Netherlands leads in IoT innovation, placing a strong emphasis on smart agriculture and sustainable energy initiatives.
Leading Network Providers in the Netherlands
The Dutch IoT market is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$8.57bn by 2025. In the near future, the revenue is anticipated to mark an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 9.85%, leading to a market volume of US$12.47bn by 2029.
The Netherlands is relatively well developed in terms of both NB-IoT and LTE-M, with infrastructure present nationwide.
Three main providers lead this industry; Odido, VodafoneZiggo, and KPN:
- Odido: Offers both LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage on a nationwide basis. Focused on industrial IoT applications and smart city solutions. Formerly known as T-Mobile Netherlands, they acquired Tele2 NL at the beginning of 2019. However, rebranded to Odido when Deutsche Telekom sold it to a group of private equity firms.
- VodafoneZiggo: Provides LTE-M coverage on a nationwide scale. However, the NB-IoT coverage is still a bit more restricted, only covering the major cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Hilversum, Den Bosch, Groningen, and Delft.
- KPN: Since 2018, KPN has offered nationwide LTE-M coverage, supporting a wide range of IoT applications. However, hasn’t yet implemented NB-IoT, but it’s on the future-track plan.
There are also some MNVOs present who provide IoT services such as ASPIDER.
Roaming providers that offer NB-IoT and LTE-M in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a strategic hub for international iot internet of things connectivity, offering robust infrastructure and regulatory openness that attract global IoT providers. While international players operate freely, integration with Dutch telecom networks—such as KPN, VodafoneZiggo, and T-Mobile NL—is key to ensuring compliance, reliability, and performance across diverse iot devices and connected devices.
Global providers like 1NCE deliver flat-rate NB-IoT and LTE-M services throughout the Netherlands, leveraging roaming agreements and eUICC support for seamless SIM provisioning and localized connectivity. Platforms such as Eseye, BICS, and KORE Wireless offer global IoT SIMs tailored to the Dutch market with localized breakout, enabling real-time routing and low-latency data transfer for mission-critical iot sensors and smart devices.
Additionally, Vodafone Global IoT, Transatel, and Tata Communications MOVE provide comprehensive managed services in the Netherlands, combining local access with global scalability. These platforms support features like multi-network fallback, remote SIM management, and unified iot device management, critical for supporting the country’s dense landscape of internet connected devices, especially in complex verticals like logistics, agriculture, and smart utilities.
With its world-class infrastructure, regulatory alignment with EU digital policy, and deep operator-provider collaboration, the Netherlands serves as a launchpad for scalable, compliant global iot technologies deployments across Europe.
NB-IoT & LTE-M vs. LoRaWAN and Sigfox in the Netherlands
When evaluating IoT connectivity options, it’s essential to understand the strengths and limitations of each technology. This section is a comparison of NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRaWAN, and Sigfox in the Netherlands, highlighting their coverage, use cases, and suitability for various IoT applications:
- NB-IoT in the Netherlands:
NB-IoT operates on licensed spectrum in the Netherlands and is fully deployed by major telecom providers including KPN, VodafoneZiggo, and T-Mobile NL. It offers excellent deep indoor coverage, strong signal penetration, and ultra-low power consumption, making it ideal for iot sensors, utility metering, smart parking, and iot internet of things applications in water and energy management. The technology plays a key role in connecting millions of iot devices and internet connected devices across public infrastructure and environmental monitoring use cases.
- LTE-M in the Netherlands:
LTE-M networks are also available nationwide, with broad support from KPN and VodafoneZiggo. LTE-M provides higher bandwidth, supports VoLTE, mobility, and real-time communication, making it suitable for smart devices in logistics, mobile health, wearables, and vehicle telematics. As part of the Netherlands’ growing 5G ecosystem, LTE-M continues to be integrated with edge computing deployments and advanced iot device management solutions to enable low-latency, high-reliability connected devices across urban and industrial environments.
- LoRaWAN in the Netherlands:
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to roll out a nationwide LoRaWAN network (by KPN in 2016). It is widely used for low-bandwidth, long-range, battery-efficient iot technologies. While public LoRaWAN remains available, private deployments are increasingly common in agriculture, smart buildings, and city-wide sensor networks. Despite scalability limits for high-density use, LoRaWAN remains valuable for lightweight iot devices needing years-long battery life and low data throughput.
- Sigfox in the Netherlands:
Sigfox had an early presence in the Netherlands but has seen reduced activity and relevance in recent years. Coverage is patchy, and the technology is no longer backed by strong operator investment. Its adoption has declined significantly, as users migrate to more robust, scalable cellular alternatives like NB-IoT and LTE-M for nationwide connectivity and integration with broader iot internet of things ecosystems.
NB-IoT and LTE-M are already relatively well-established in the Netherlands, with infrastructure set in place nationwide. Both of these technologies being present means that IoT installations can choose between the two to optimize for local conditions. NB-IoT provides better connectivity through deep indoor penetration, and endures higher latency, whereas LTE-M offers the possibility of transferring more data, at the expense of needing lower latency.
IoT devices, such as the W-sensor offered by Waltero, can choose between transmitting on either network. This means that you can get the best out of the device for any specific location, both in terms of efficient power consumption and speed and accuracy of the data transmissions. Seeing as some of the major players have focused only on LTE-M, Odido or a roaming option is recommended, as that will allow for optimizing on the best local connectivity, whether on LTE-M or NB-IoT. However, for most use cases, LTE-M will likely work well.
IoT Connectivity Outlook: The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a recognized leader in iot internet of things advancement in Europe, driven by widespread broadband, full 5G coverage, and early adoption of dedicated IoT networks. Major telecom providers like KPN, VodafoneZiggo, and T-Mobile offer comprehensive NB-IoT and LTE-M coverage nationwide, supporting billions of iot devices, connected devices, and iot sensors across both urban and rural areas.
Government Initiatives
Government-backed smart infrastructure programs have turned Dutch cities into real-world testbeds for innovation. Through initiatives like Amsterdam Smart City and the Digital Delta, the Netherlands deploys smart devices and internet connected devices to improve traffic, energy efficiency, water management, and citizen safety. These efforts are tightly aligned with broader national goals around digital transformation and sustainability.
Industrial Overview
Industries such as agriculture, logistics, water, and energy are at the forefront of adoption. From precision farming systems and smart greenhouses to sensor-equipped ports and predictive grid management, iot technologies are transforming operations and delivering real-time insights. Central to this ecosystem is reliable iot device management, which ensures efficient scaling, remote monitoring, and secure firmware updates.
Overall Overview
Edge computing and private 5G networks further enhance responsiveness and data privacy. Enterprises leverage private infrastructure to run mission-critical operations while relying on carriers’ platforms for seamless iot device management and network orchestration. Dutch regulations also support secure deployment of iot internet of things solutions, with a strong emphasis on data protection, cybersecurity, and spectrum access for innovation.
With an advanced digital backbone, collaborative innovation climate, and forward-thinking governance, the Netherlands remains a global benchmark for iot technologies. The continued integration of iot devices, connected devices, and iot sensors across all sectors positions the country for even greater leadership in building intelligent, resilient, and inclusive smart cities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Internet of Things in the Netherlands is not just a technological trend—it’s a cornerstone of the country’s digital transformation. From smart agriculture to connected urban infrastructure, the Netherlands continues to set the standard for innovation, scalability, and sustainability in the IoT space. As infrastructure and adoption mature, the nation is well-positioned to lead Europe into the next phase of intelligent connectivity.
