KPN launches 5G home broadband for locations lacking fast fixed lines

Dutch telecommunications company KPN has launched a home broadband service delivered directly over its 5G mobile network.

The service, called 5G-Internet Thuis, targets households and addresses that currently lack access to high-speed fiber or reliable fixed broadband connections.

Instead of requiring traditional underground cables, the setup relies on a modem equipped with an integrated SIM card and Wi-Fi 7 technology that connects directly to local mobile towers.

Competition for Odido

KPN’s launch gives Odido’s Klik&Klaar service a direct new competitor. Both products provide plug-and-play home internet through a mobile 5G network, without requiring a fibre, cable or DSL connection, and can also be used at temporary accommodation or holiday homes.

On paper, KPN differentiates its service with Wi-Fi 7, an integrated SIM and advertised download speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s. Odido currently offers Klik&Klaar for €26 per month, with monthly cancellation and advertised speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s.

KPN is initially restricting availability mainly to addresses without an adequate fixed connection, while Odido markets Klik&Klaar more broadly as a flexible internet-only alternative that can be moved between locations in the Netherlands.

High speeds without fixed wiring

The operator says the plug-and-play installation allows users to get online immediately without waiting for a technician to install physical lines.

The subscription offers unlimited data for standard domestic use, with maximum download speeds reaching up to 1,000 Mbps depending on local network load and proximity to base stations.

Network configuration and connection management are handled directly through the company’s mobile application.

Phased rollout focusing on underserved addresses

The service is being rolled out in phases, with priority given to locations where existing fixed line performance remains poor.

In areas where traditional fiber infrastructure is already available, KPN will continue to offer fiber-optic connections as the primary option.

For now, the 5G home option is sold as a standalone internet package, without bundled television or landline phone services, though users can add individual streaming subscriptions.

Addressing local connection gaps

While Amsterdam has extensive fiber coverage across most residential districts, certain historic buildings, floating homes, and peripheral commercial areas still face installation hurdles for new cabling.

Wireless home connections offer a practical workaround for residents and remote workers in locations where physical infrastructure upgrades are delayed or restricted.

The launch reflects a broader push among Dutch telecom providers to utilize upgraded mobile frequencies to fill remaining gaps in the national broadband market.

More details on pricing and rollout dates

KPN’s 5G Internet Thuis will reportedly cost €42.50 per month, including the Wi-Fi 7 modem. Customers receive up to 20GB of data per day at full speed, after which speeds are reduced to 10 Mbit/s for downloads and 5 Mbit/s for uploads until the following day.

The rollout is gradual, with KPN initially targeting addresses that lack fiber-optic or another adequate fixed connection. Availability is determined through KPN’s postcode checker, and the company has not yet published a regional rollout timetable or dates for wider availability.

Source: Emerce