Looking back at 2023: Data traffic continues to rise and breaks records again
The data traffic on the networks of KPN increased again last year. Traffic on the mobile network grew around 25%; new single-day records can be ascribed to streaming traffic during some of the Formula 1 races, the busiest moments of the year. Working from home, videoconferencing and gaming remain popular too.
The KPN networks have no problem coping with the rise in data traffic, however, partly because a lot has been invested in fiber, 5G and the capacity of the underlying infrastructure. It emerged from various network tests that were carried out last year that, as a result, the network experience is very good and the fixed and mobile internet in the Netherlands is world-class. Among the areas in which we score well are speed and coverage.
Working from home on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Homeworking got a boost during the corona pandemic, since which a sawtooth pattern can be seen in the KPN network, with a peak every 30 minutes because people are video-conferencing on Teams, Zoom or suchlike. This pattern was still visible in 2023, especially on Monday, Wednesday and Friday – the favorite homeworking days of people in the Netherlands; the most popular times for videoconferencing are 10:00, 11:00 and 14:00.
Tuesday and Thursday are the most popular office days, and are also the days with the biggest traffic jams on the roads. On Tuesday and Thursday KPN experiences consistently 5 to 10% more mobile traffic than on other weekdays, partly because many people commute, making more use of mobile internet.
Roaming traffic rose considerably in 2023
The vacation-related roaming traffic increased sharply as well last year. KPN handled up to 50% more data from European winter sports destinations than in 2022. There was also substantially more data traffic from popular summer vacation destinations. France was the most popular destination, followed by Germany and Spain.
Better internet
In the years ahead, KPN wants to make the internet even better. Not just better in terms of speed and stability, but also safer, greener and more social. An internet on which everyone feels more secure, in which everyone can take part and that is 100% green. KPN is therefore developing various initiatives next year under the hashtag #beterinternet.
More data, less energy
Despite the increase in data traffic and the continued expansion of the fiber and 5G networks, KPN has been able to reduce its energy consumption. New networks are more efficient, and the disappearance of older network equipment and the dismantling of old telephone exchanges generates a saving of the annual energy consumption of almost 4,000 households.
Digital fireworks on New Year’s Eve
Now comes New Year’s Eve, traditionally one of the busiest times on KPN’s mobile network. We will find out on January 1, 2024 whether we have started the new year with new records. A year ago as many as 453 terabytes of mobile data were consumed, a good 60 times more than in 2014.