Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Telephones - main lines in use: 7.086 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 25
[see also: Telephones - main lines in use country ranks ]

Telephones - mobile cellular:
19.643 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 50
[see also: Telephones - mobile cellular country ranks ]

Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed and well maintained
domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; large cellular telephone system with 5 major operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services
international: country code - 31; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (2011)

Broadcast media:
more than 90% of households are connected to cable or satellite TV systems that provide a wide range of domestic and foreign channels; public service broadcast system includes multiple broadcasters, 3 with a national reach and the remainder operating in regional and local markets; 2 major nationwide commercial television companies, each with 3 or more stations, and many commercial TV stations in regional and local markets; nearly 600 radio stations with a mix of public and private stations providing national or regional coverage (2008)

Internet country code:
.nl

Internet hosts:
13.699 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 11
[see also: Internet hosts country ranks ]

Internet users:
14.872 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 27
[see also: Internet users country ranks ]