• The situation of the electronic communications and television market (2023)

    Publications › Communication -
    Communication of 19 June 2024 on the situation of the electronic communications and television market (2023)
  • FAQ

    Where there is a continuous or regular significant difference between the actual speeds of the Internet access service and the speeds specified by the ISP in the contract.

     

    1. If that is the case, then the ISP should basically take actions to reach the promised level. If these actions do not solve the problem, then you are entitled to other contractual remedial measures, such as compensation for the damage and/or the dissolution of the contract.
    2. Secondly, if you do not achieve a satisfactory result with the operator, you can also contact the Office of the Ombudsman for Telecommunications, which will mediate free of charge in order to reach an amicable settlement of the dispute.
    3. In a third instance (or immediately after a prior written notice of the operator), the court can issue a binding ruling on the non-compliance with the contract.

  • FAQ

    Find out first what speed your operator promised you in your contract

    Do not assume that you will get the speeds the operators advertise in their advertisements.

    Fixed Internet service providers (ISPs) have to mention the minimum, maximum and generally available speeds in their contracts and on their websites as well. 

    A BIPT Decision defines how these values have to be interpreted concretely, taking into account the set-up of networks in Belgium:

    • the minimum speed” shall be understood as the value of the speed the access provider will never drop below, unless there is an interruption of service;
    • generally available speed” shall be understood as the value of the speed that an end-user would expect to obtain for most of the time when accessing the service (i.e. for at least 95% of the time);
    • "maximum speed" shall be understood as the value of the speed which the user may expect at certain times, in principle at least once per 24-hour period. 

    The actual speeds shall be between the minimum and maximum speeds and preferably as close as possible to the generally available speed.

  • Annual report 2023

    Publications › Annual report -
    In the 2023 annual report, the BIPT gives an overview of the past year.
  • Communication of 24 May 2024 on the evolution of the price of standalone mobile telecom services (2019-2024)

    Publications › Communication -
    Between January 2019 and January 2024, the market for standalone consumer mobile subscriptions generally evolved positively.
  • Opinion of 29 April 2024 on the draft resolutions examining of the possibility of merging market regulators with a view to improving their functioning

    Publications › Opinion -
    BIPT Opinion on the possibility of merging market regulators with a view to improving their functioning.
  • Communication of 24 April 2024 on the evolution of the price of fixed and convergent residential telecom services over the past five years (from 2019 to 2024)

    Publications › Communication -
    This Communication provides an update on the evolution of residential prices of fixed internet and bundles by identifying those applicable until January 2024 and in particular the minimum price that private individuals have to pay to meet specific telecom needs.
  • FAQ

    PLEASE NOTE THAT:

    • Persons finding themselves in one of the situations below and that applied for the social discount (old social rate) before 01/03/2024 can continue to enjoy this discount, with a few exceptions laid down in legislation. From 01 March 2024  you may be eligible for the social Internet offer if you meet the conditions
    • In one and the same household only one person can benefit from either the social discount (old social tariff) or from the social Internet subscription.

    First situation: Persons older than 65

    Summary of the conditions

    Be older than 65:

    In that case two additional conditions have to be met:

    1. Live alone or live together with one or more persons older than 60. In addition it is allowed to live together with one’s children or grandchildren. In that case the grandchildren have to be orphans who have lost both of their parents or who have been entrusted to their grandparents by a court ruling.                
    2. Have a gross taxable income for the entire household that does not exceed the cap set by the RIZIV/INAMI to be eligible for the increased financial intervention for health care.

    Second situation: disability

    Summary of the conditions

    Have a disability of at least 66%: be recognised as a person disabled or unable to work for more than 66% by an administrative or court ruling, be recognised by the FPS Social Security as a person disabled for more than 66% or as a person whose self-reliance is diminished by at least 9 points, or be recognised by the sickness insurance agency to be invalid for more than 66%.

    In that case three additional conditions have to be met:

    1. be older than 18 AND
    2. live alone
      or live together
           -    with maximum two persons
          -    or with relatives or in-laws of the first or second degree (parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, stepparents, stepchildren) AND
    3. have a gross taxable income for the entire household that does not exceed the cap set by the RIZIV/INAMI to be eligible for the increased financial intervention for health care.

    Third situation: guaranteed minimum income

    Summary of the conditions

    Receive a guaranteed minimum income pursuant to the Act of 26 May 2002 on the right to social integration.

    Fourth situation: hearing loss

    Summary of the conditions

    Suffer from at least 70 dB hearing loss in the best ear or live together with a child or grandchild that suffers from at least 70 dB hearing loss in the best ear.

    Fifth situation: laryngectomy

    Summary of the conditions

    Having undergone a laryngectomy or live together with a child or grandchild that has undergone a laryngectomy.

    Sixth situation: military war-blinded

    Summary of the conditions

    Be a military person who has been blinded in war.

  • FAQ

    Per household only one social discount/social Internet offer can be used.

    As long as you benefit from the social discount on your telecom bill, your family member is not eligible for the social Internet offer.

    So check, before changing, if the social internet offer corresponds to the needs of your household.

  • FAQ

    You may be eligible for the social Internet offer.

    You do not meet the granting conditions or the social Internet offer does not appeal to you?
    Go to besttariff.be, the government’s telecom tariff comparison tool, and find the telecom tariff plan that does meet your needs, which may be cheaper for you. All telecom tariff plans available on the market are listed there, ranging from inexpensive to more expensive.

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