Tele2 will launch 4G services in the Netherlands on Thursday, positioning itself as a value player in the market.
"Tele2 is about to revolutionise the mobile market in the Netherlands," the Sweden-based telco’s CEO Allison Kirkby announced on Wednesday. "It is our intention to stimulate demand for mobile connectivity, by offering the Dutch population much larger, more affordable 4G data bundles, and thereby offering great value for money."
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the Netherlands, Tele2 acquired 800-MHz and 2.6-GHz spectrum almost three years ago and has been busy rolling out its LTE network in the interim. In August 2013 it inked an agreement with host operator T-Mobile to share cellsites for 2G and 3G.
Tele2 said it activated its first antenna 24 months ago and has since extended its network to provide 92% of the Dutch population with outdoor 4G coverage. It expects to hit nationwide coverage by the end of the first quarter of next year.
The telco added that thanks to carrier aggregation it is able to offer speeds of up to 225 Mbps, but it did not say how widespread its LTE-A coverage is.
"It’s time for the Dutch consumers to release the handbrake when it comes to mobile data usage," said Tele2 Netherlands CEO Jeff Dodds.
"Over the last three years price levels in the Netherlands have remained amongst the highest in Europe, and we’re here to shake up the market and start a data revolution, with the launch of our new superfast LTE-Advanced mobile network, offering great speed, great coverage and the lowest price," he said.
Tele2 claims Dutch consumers are at present restricted to small data bundles at high prices, driving them to seek out public WiFi hotspots.
In response, it is offering a 24 GB bundle with unlimited voice and SMS for €35 per month, SIM only. It will also roll out cheaper plans with smaller allowances.
The telco said its goal is to reach a revenue market share of 20%.
