Identifying the Dark Clouds in Infrastructure Heaven: Nine Bottlenecks that Hinder the Roll-Out of Business-to-Business ICT Innovations in the Netherlands

Abstract

An increasing number of proxies indicate that the roll-out of innovative business-to-business broadband services in The Netherlands is being hampered. This is paradoxical, given the high penetration rate of the Dutch broadband infrastructure. In this paper we explore the bottlenecks that impede the roll-out of innovative business-to-business broadband services. We have used an explanatory research approach that included documentary analysis, online surveys, and interviews among all relevant stakeholder groups. This resulted in the identification of nine bottlenecks. These bottlenecks are allocated at all different relevant stakeholder groups. The identification of these bottlenecks enables the Dutch regions to increase the impact of their broadband policies. Moreover, it helps other ambitious regions to make full use of their telecom infrastructures and stimulate the entrepreneurial use of those infrastructures.