KPN Mobile, the Netherlands' largest operator, will implement significant price increases to its mobile data tariffs in a reaction to the government's approval of strong net neutrality laws.
The company, which is already fighting to reverse a decline in its mobile revenues, is now planning to more than double the pricing of some bundles as it is forced away from charging for individual data services such as VoIP.
Starting in September, KPN's cheapest advertised tariff for 1 GB of mobile data will be as part of a €50 per month bundle. This compares with some bundles that KPN Mobile is currently offering for under €20 per month that include unlimited data.
In what might appear to be an attempt to confuse consumers, the company will be offering a huge range of new pricing tariffs based upon usage and a mix of data, voice and messaging. KPN confirmed in a statement carried by Dow Jones that these changes to its pricing structure would see mobile data becoming more expensive. KPN also said it plans to reduce smartphone subsidies.
Commenting on the price changes, the Dutch investment bank, SNS Securities, said that it expected rivals Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom T-Mobile "to largely follow the pricing changes." Vodafone told Dow Jones it would make public its new rates at a later date.
For more:
- see this Dow Jones Newswire article
- see this AP article
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