Experiences with ECOMET/KNMI 1999

In 1999 KNMI decided to change price for observational data.

Price per synop changed from 0,18 Euro (before 2000) to 0,274 Euro from the 1st of January 2000. So the Netherlands changed from a cheap country to a more expensive country in Europe.

As far as we know the costs of the infrastructure did not change.

If you want to buy all Dutch observational data the total price is Euro 50.000 after about 50 % discount. If you are working as a professional meteorlogical organisation you need that type of data.

Also HIRLAM data became more expensive. Radardata from the Netherlands changed also in price but now positive for the market, it became cheaper.

KNMI has a value added service forecastproduct, made for their own use and available for the service providers. The product (regional forecast for 38 stations in Holland) had a price of about 6000 Euro's in 1999 and changed in 2000 to 40.000 Euro, giving only 6 stations.

In total we experience prices of data as much to high for private weathercompanies. Compared to the commercial branches of National Meteorological Offices who can use all avaible data, models, observations, etc. the private companies can not compete. There should be an investigation about the price-system NMO's are using for their commercial branch.

KNMI will not deliver METAR data as that type of data is in their view owned by ICAO. So no aviation data is available for the professsional Dutch meteorological market, unless you use the Internet, which KNMI thinks is illegal.