Fiber to your business park is feasible
Last updated January 24, 2026
Fast and stable Internet is no longer a luxury for businesses. It is a prerequisite. Yet there are still many business parks in the Netherlands that lack fiber optics and entrepreneurs have to work with outdated connections. That often feels like a stalemate: fiber seems too expensive, but without fiber, digital development stagnates. That stalemate is not always justified. In practice, it turns out that fiber optics is often possible on a business park, provided a collective approach is taken.
Why fiber in business parks lags behind
The rollout of fiber optics is proceeding relatively quickly in residential neighborhoods. Houses are close together, the number of connections per street is high and the business case is clear. For providers, this is attractive.
In business parks, the situation is different. Companies are further apart, more digging is required per connection, and some of the larger companies have already had their own, often expensive, fiber optic connection installed. For commercial providers, the return is therefore uncertain. As a result, many business owners have to rely on ADSL or VDSL connections over a copper network that is sometimes decades old. Those connections are slow, unstable and limit possibilities such as cloud computing, VoIP, online backups and modern business software.
Collective predisposition as key to success
At the heart of a viable business case is collectivity. Once providers gain assurance that a substantial portion of businesses actually purchase a connection, the picture changes.
Collectivity means that business owners act together and make their interest concrete. This requires organization, but it lowers the cost per connection and makes fiber optics accessible to many more businesses. An active business association, park management or foundation is virtually indispensable in this regard. From such an organization, declarations of intent can be collected and the process can be approached in a structured way.
Two routes to fiber in business park
When there is sufficient support, there are in practice two realistic routes.
1. Construction by a commercial provider
With letters of intent in hand, there are providers willing to invest in building a fiber network.
The benefit is clear. The provider handles design, construction, management and operation. For business owners, this means little extra work in addition to their daily operations. The disadvantage is that the business park is tied to one provider. Freedom of choice is limited and switching is often not possible. Rates and quality are determined by that one party.
2. Building your own open fiber network
An alternative is to build an open fiber network ourselves, owned by the business owners. In this scenario, a contractor is hired for the construction and the financing is arranged jointly. This can be through own contribution, a loan, association funds or a combination of these.
This requires more preparation. Consider:
- the technical design of the network
- a balanced business case
- permits and soil testing
- construction supervision
- establishing an association or foundation as the owner
This is specialized work and in practice is almost always supervised by parties with experience in collective fiber optic projects. The advantage is great. The network is open. Multiple providers can provide services, which ensures competition, freedom of choice and more competitive prices. Fees from providers are used for maintenance and repayment of financing. Over time, the benefits flow back to the business owners themselves.
The role of the municipality
The municipality always plays a role in the construction of fiber optics. At least in granting permits and coordinating work in the public space. Depending on municipal policy, the municipality can additionally support by participating in the process, making space available for technical facilities or providing process money for guidance. Direct investment in fiber optics is not allowed, but facilitation is often allowed. A well-connected business park strengthens the local economy. Many municipalities now see that importance keenly.
Fiberglass is there ... so what?
After construction, a network is in the ground, but that does not make the connection active. In the Internet world, this is distinguished as follows.
- Layer 1: the physical fiber optic network
- Layer 2: the party that highlights the network and links it to the Internet
- Layer 3: the provider of Internet, telephony or cloud services
In an open network, each entrepreneur chooses his own layer 3 provider. However, one reliable layer 2 party is needed who technically connects the network to the outside world and structurally manages it. The accompanying party in the project can support this and provide appropriate choices.
Case study: an open network in a business park
There are now several business parks in the Netherlands where an open fiber network has been successfully implemented. A well-known example is the business park in Uithoorn, where entrepreneurs have jointly set up a competitive network. The result is better digital accessibility, more freedom of choice and a stronger competitive position for the area as a whole. For many companies, this is now a decisive location factor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is fiber to every business park possible?
In theory, yes, but feasibility depends on support, distances and costs. Without collective participation, it is often difficult. With sufficient interest, a realistic business case usually emerges.
What does collective fiber optic installation cost on average?
Costs vary greatly from one site to another. Distances, soil conditions and the number of connections play a major role. Collectivity significantly lowers the cost per farm compared to individual construction.
How many companies should participate?
This varies from project to project. Often 30 to 50 percent participation is enough to convince providers or financiers. The higher the percentage, the more favorable the terms.
Is an open network always better than a commercial solution?
Not by definition. An open network offers more freedom and competition, but requires more organization and responsibility. For some areas, a commercial solution is more pragmatic.
How long will the whole process take?
Expect six months to a year and a half, depending on degree of organization, permits and approach taken. Good preparation shortens the process considerably.
