Dutch countryside needs high speed WiFi: Minister

Minister Henk Kamp (Economic Affairs) wants to promote high-speed internet in rural areas in the Netherlands. He wrote a letter to the Tweede Kamer (lower house of parliament) explaining the measures he wants to use to accomplish this.

These measures include making use of radio frequencies for wireless high-speed internet, investing European money and lowering the costs for the construction of a fixed telecommunications network.

"Fast internet contributes to entrepreneurship and economic growth. Almost all households and businesses in the Netherlands already have access to high-speed internet. In rural areas there are dozens of local initiatives by municipalities and provinces for faster internet. These additional measures from the Cabinet now adds to that." Kamp said. "We want to encourage fast internet for the more than 300 thousand residents and businesses in sparsely populated areas that do not have access yet, so that the economy of the region can be boosted."

From September 1st entrepreneurs can apply for a license to offer wireless internet via a radio frequency in a certain area.