KPN is one of the three biggest telecom providers in the Netherlands, and you can tell. Its own network, strong nationwide coverage, 5G as standard on every bundle. But you also pay more than with budget providers. What exactly do you get for that premium price? And who is KPN a good choice for?

Short answer: KPN offers high network quality with its own infrastructure and 5G as standard on all bundles. You pay more than with virtual providers, but you get excellent coverage, high speeds and a reliable connection. Suitable for anyone who values reliability more than price.

Also read: What to look out for with a Sim Only plan

What makes KPN different from other providers?

KPN isn't a virtual provider renting network capacity: KPN IS the network. That means three concrete advantages:

  • Strong nationwide coverage: even in rural areas where budget providers often have less reach
  • Its own infrastructure: no dependence on other parties, direct control over maintenance and upgrades
  • 5G as standard: on all bundles, at no extra cost, even on the smallest plans

You especially notice that difference on trains, in lifts, in parking garages and in rural areas. Where other providers sometimes have no signal, KPN usually does.

KPN bundles: what are the options?

KPN offers sim only bundles with fixed data allowances, such as 10 GB and 20 GB, plus several Unlimited plans. With Unlimited, you're mainly choosing based on maximum speed, EU data, and how many MB's you can share with housemates. In addition, with many bundles you can choose between a limited calling bundle or unlimited calling and texting. The exact price depends on your contract length, bundle and any KPN combi discounts.

KPN offers 2 different fixed data plans:

  • 10 GB: internet speed 300 Mbit/s, use your MB's within the EU, share MB's with someone at the same address
  • 20 GB: internet speed 300 Mbit/s, use your MB's within the EU, share MB's with someone at the same address

KPN offers 4 different Unlimited plans:

  • Unlimited 50: internet speed 50 Mbit/s, 40 GB per month in the EU, share up to 40 GB per month
  • Unlimited 400: internet speed 400 Mbit/s, 50 GB per month in the EU, share up to 50 GB per month
  • Super Unlimited: internet speed 700 Mbit/s, 75 GB per month in the EU, share up to 75 GB per month
  • Super Unlimited +: internet speed 1000 Mbit/s, 100 GB per month in the EU, 25 GB per month outside the EU, share up to 100 GB per month

The fixed data bundles cost between €18.50 and €20.50 per month. The Unlimited plans cost between €28 and €40 per month.

Note: not all bundles come with unlimited calling and texting by default. With the fixed data bundles, you can add unlimited calling and texting as an extra. With the Unlimited plans, unlimited calling and texting is included. Calling abroad costs extra; check the rates per country in your MyKPN environment.

5G is included as standard. No separate surcharge, no separate plan: your phone automatically switches over when 5G is available in your area. You do need a 5G-capable device for this.

What does KPN Sim Only cost?

KPN is more expensive than budget providers. A 10GB bundle costs around €18.50 per month with KPN, while at Simyo or Budget Mobiel you get the same amount of data for €8-€10.

Why that difference? You're paying for:

  • Its own network with better coverage
  • Higher speeds (up to 1000 Mbps on 5G, budget providers often max out at 100-300 Mbps)
  • Dutch customer service you can reach by phone
  • Extras such as WiFi Calling and VoLTE (calling via 4G/5G for better call quality)

For anyone who cares about budget: 50+Mobiel (on the Vodafone network) scores highly with customers, with 44,000+ Trustpilot reviews and a score of 4.5/5. Good to know: 50+Mobiel is co-owned by the Home of the Brave holding company. It's a different choice than KPN, but relevant if price matters more to you than a premium network.

Also read: Cheapest Sim Only plan: find the best deal

How's KPN's customer service?

KPN has Dutch customer service that you can reach by phone, chat and email. Opening hours are: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00, closed on Sundays and public holidays. For technical outages, KPN is available 24/7.

In independent customer satisfaction surveys, KPN consistently scores well. That doesn't mean there are never any problems, but it does mean most customers are satisfied with how KPN responds.

You handle most things through the MyKPN app: checking usage, adjusting your bundle, viewing invoices. The app is clear and works reliably.

5G at KPN: what does that mean in practice?

5G is faster than 4G, but you really only notice the difference with large downloads or high-quality video streaming. Concrete examples:

  • Netflix in 4K: loads instantly, no buffering
  • Google Maps: maps load faster, especially in busy areas
  • Downloading large files: a 2GB movie takes 20 seconds instead of 3 minutes

5G only works if your phone supports it and you're in an area with 5G coverage. In areas without 5G, you fall back to 4G: that just works, only a bit slower.

Note: 5G uses more battery. If your phone is old or your battery drains quickly, you can turn off 5G in your settings. You'll then have 4G speed, which is plenty for most apps.

Compare all KPN bundles with other providers via Welli →

Who is KPN Sim Only a good fit for?

KPN suits you if:

  • You're often in areas where other providers have poor reception (trains, rural areas, parking garages)
  • You value reliability more than the lowest price
  • You make a lot of calls and want good call quality (VoLTE, WiFi Calling)
  • You need fast internet for work or study, think video calls and uploading large files

KPN is less interesting if:

  • You're mostly on wifi and use little mobile data
  • Your budget is a maximum of €15 per month
  • You live in a city where all providers have good coverage

In that last case, budget providers like Simyo (on the KPN network) or Youfone often offer sufficient quality for less money.

How does KPN compare to budget providers on the same network?

Simyo and Youfone also use the KPN network, but with limitations:

  • Lower speed: often limited to 100-300 Mbps, KPN itself offers up to 1000 Mbps
  • No priority: during busy periods (festivals, stations), KPN customers get priority, budget customers notice slowdowns
  • More limited customer service: often only chat or email, no phone support

For everyday use (WhatsApp, social media, YouTube) you'll notice little difference. For intensive use (4K streaming, large uploads, video calls in busy areas), KPN is noticeably better.

Also read: Is Simyo owned by KPN?

Conclusion: KPN Sim Only — bundles, quality and review?

KPN offers a good network with high speeds, excellent coverage and a reliable connection: its own infrastructure and 5G as standard on all bundles. You pay more than with budget providers, but you get reliability, good customer service and priority during busy periods.

For anyone who values reliability and speed, especially in rural areas or with intensive use, KPN is a strong choice. For anyone who's mostly on wifi and cares about budget, virtual providers on the same network often offer sufficient quality for less money.

Welli helps you choose. Not the cheapest deal, but the best deal for you. Give Welli your calling and streaming habits and you'll immediately get a personal recommendation. Compare all sim only bundles via Welli.