The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure is responsible for obtaining and allocating frequency space and monitoring its use. The work of the agency covers the entire field of wireless and wired communication.
Licensing during events
During events certain types of frequency use are subject to licensing requirements, to prevent harmful interference or breakdown of equipment. Both before and during an event, the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure checks whether people have the right licences and the correct settings on their transmitting equipment.
How to apply for a licence
You can apply for a licence in the Netherlands by filling out the application form Events, and returning it by email or fax. After applying for a licence you will be allocated one or more frequencies, as appropriate. Make sure to submit your application form at least 10 working days prior to the event. If not the timely granting of the licence can not be guaranteed. We only issue licences for the use of frequencies in the Netherlands.
Regulations foreign radio-amateurs
If you want to use radio amateur frequencies in the Netherlands, check whether your country is signatory to the CEPT Recommendations. CEPT (The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) has issued recommendations to harmonize amateur licences: Full licence (T/R 61-01) and Novice licence (ECC/REC/(05) 06).
Your administration is a signatory to the CEPT Recommendations
If you have a CEPT Full license (covered by T/R 61-01) or a CEPT Novice license (covered by ECC-Rec. (05)06), you do not require a guest license. Foreign Radio Amateurs may operate on the same terms and conditions as the Dutch Radio Amateurs.
Your administration is not a signatory to the CEPT Recommendations
If your administration is not a signatory to the CEPT Recommendations, and you want to use radio amateur frequencies in the Netherlands, you can apply for a guest license by using the application form. Please include a certified copy of your valid national radio amateur licence. The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure will issue the licence if the required level of knowledge to obtain the foreign licence is equal to the required level of knowledge to obtain a Dutch licence (Novice of Full). The license will be issued for 1 year. A fee will be charged. Foreign Radio Amateurs may operate on the same terms and conditions as the Dutch Radio Amateurs.
Moving to the Netherlands
If you move to the Netherlands on a permanent basis you may apply for a Dutch F-licence on production of a HAREC issued by an other country.
HAREC
HAREC stands for Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate. This certificate meets the criteria of CEPT recommendation T/R 61-02. A HAREC certificate shows proof of successfully passing an exam that is required to obtain a Full Licence. With a HAREC certificate you can apply for a licence/registration in participating countries, including the Netherlands. A Radio Amateur that passed the F- examination in the Netherlands can apply for a HAREC certificate. A fee will be charged.
Call sign foreign radio amateurs
Visiting radio amateurs should use their overseas call sign, prefixed by PA/ (Full) or PD/ (Novice).
Radiocommunication on waterways
There are international regulations about communication by radio for shipping throughout Europe: Rainwat (Regional Arrangement on the radiocommunication service for inland waterways).
Ask a question about radiocommunication on waterways in the Netherlands
Do you have questions about communication by radio or the use of frequencies in the Netherlands? Please contact the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure.
Radiocommunications in the Caribbean
The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure is responsible for the execution and enforcement of telecommunications for Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. You can contact us for information about which radio equipment you may use, licenses for the use of radio frequencies information on the import of radio equipment (customs), radio exams and submitting complaints about interference on or from radio equipment.
Tasks of the Authority for Digital Infrastructure on the BES-islands
The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure has an office on Bonaire. From there we manage the radio frequency spectrum for all three islands by allocating radio frequencies, monitoring and carrying out inspections. You can visit our office for:
- Requesting permission for use of frequencies;
- The application to participate in a radio broadcast exam;
- Information about which radio equipment you can use without authorization and which you cannot;
- Information on the import of radio equipment (customs);
- Submitting complaints about interference on or from radio equipment;
- Submitting complaints about the quality of the services provided by telecom operators.
Radiocommunications in Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten
The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure is not responsible for frequency management in the other countries in the Kingdom. These countries have their own agencies that take care of that. More information is available about this on the contact page.
Trust Service Providers in the Netherlands
Find information about the qualified status and the status history of trust service providers.
Satellite News Gathering
You can apply for a new license or change the details of an existing license.
Dutch 5G-fieldlab
5G can provide a significant improvement in the capacity and coverage of mobile networks in remote areas, enabling the region to participate fully in the digital economy. We expect new applications, such as remote care or teaching. It can also give a huge impulse to the agri-food sector by increasing the use of sensors and monitoring for precision farming. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy/Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (EZK/Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur) promotes a smarter, dynamic use of frequencies as a key part of a modern telecommunication infrastructure.
Trends captured: the Trendradar
Technological developments occur rapidly in the telecommunications world. The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure maps yearly the external trends in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). For this, we use the Trendradar.
We have also visualized developments (such as the Internet of Things and drones) and results (such as the energy transition and digitalisation) in an image board.
Televulnerability, resilience to telecom failures
As organisations become more dependent on telecommunication services, the failure of these services has an increasing impact. The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure offers tools to increase organisations’ awareness, and tools and methods to help them become more resilient. Would you like to learn more? Then watch our video about Televulnerability or contact us by e-mail info@rdi.nl.
National Cybersecurity Certification Authority (NCCA)
The National Cybersecurity Certification Authority (NCCA) of the Netherlands is the Dutch government body established as part of the Cybersecurity Act. On our NCCA-website you can get informed about the Dutch implementation of the prior approval model which makes the certification process transparent and fast and find general information about the Cybersecurity Act.
Contact the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure
Do you have questions or comments? Please contact us.