Belgium

Overview

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a sovereign state in Western Europe bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the North Sea.

Regulatory Environment

Belgium is a member of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and as such follows radio frequency harmonisation principles according to ITU-R Region-1. The regulatory body governing communications policy is the SPF Economie, P.M.E., Classes moyennes et Energie, and the Institut belge des services postaux et des télécommunications (IBPT) is charged with regulating the country's radio frequency spectrum activities such as planning, allocations, and licencing.

Mobile Telecommunications

Mobile broadband services are offered by all three MNOs and almost complete population coverage has been reached for 3G and 4G LTE thanks to extensive investment made by the Belgian operators. According to latest ITU data (June 2017) mobile coverage reaches 100% of the population, and 4G LTE also accessible by 100% of Belgians.

Belgium 5G

In September 2018, the Belgian regulator IBPT released its plans for the auction of 5G spectrum. 700 MHz, 3400 to 3800 MHz and 1500 MHz (SDL) frequencies are expected to be auctioned in 2020, in spite of an initial plan to auction in autumn 2019, with delays attributed to a dispute in government over the EUR680 million predicted to be raised. IBPT also announced the 26 GHz auction would not take place before 2021.