• FAQ

    Radio amateurs can choose their call signs according to the following rules:

    • The call sign has to be available.
    • Regarding the class A operator’s certificate, you can choose a prefix starting with ON1, ON4, ON5, ON6, ON7, ON8 and ON9.
      For the class B operator’s certificate, the prefix will be ON2.
      For the class C operator’s certificate, the prefix will be ON3.
    • The choice of the call sign is limited to the last 2 or 3 letters.
    • A radio amateur can apply for as many call signs as he/she desires, within his/her class. Each additional call sign entails an application fee (€59,92) as well as a yearly fee (€59,92).
    • Call signs can not be reserved and are granted in order of request.
    • If a radio amateur stops his/her activities, his/her call sign (primary only) can not be granted to a third party for 5 years.

  • FAQ

    You can use the form.  Each application for a station authorisation (including a fixed, a mobile and a portable station) entails an application fee of €59,92 except for a station without an operator, for which it amounts to €119,85. A yearly fee of €59,92 is also charged for each type of station.  You can also apply for an additional station authorisation at the same price.

    Except for the automatic packet reporting system (APRS), the application can not relate to a radio amateur station without an operator which is a fixed station ensuring the retransmission of a received signal or transmitting a continuous signal, without the physical presence of a user.

  • FAQ

    If you hold a class A certificate, you can, in addition to your main call sign, be granted a short call sign (only one) via the form.

    Extra series of OO to OT call signs, in the format of OOxA, where x=0 to 9 and A= A to Z can be applied for.

    Each additional call sign entails an application fee (€59,92) as well as a yearly fee (€59,92).

  • FAQ

    A form is available. The operator’s certificate is valid for 5 years and is charged: €29,96 in 2023. 

    • If you have passed an exam and are asking you first operator’s certificate (or if you have passed a superior exam and enter a higher class), it will be included in the examination price.
    • If you were a radio amateur in the past and you wish to resume the hobby, please send us your certificate of achievement. A certificate will be issued at the above-mentioned price.
    • If you hold a certificate issued by another CEPT country and now live in Belgium, you can, based on that certificate, get a Belgian operator’s certificate at the above-mentioned price.
    • If you hold a certificate issued by a non-CEPT country and now live in Belgium, you must provide BIPT, in addition to the copy of the certificate of achievement, with the detailed subject matter of the examination you took in that country. This matter has to be provided in French, Dutch or English through either an official translation (sworn translator) or an official website. BIPT will, according to this information, determine the level of the licence.

  • FAQ

    You must register via a GMDSS examination centre. 

    The practical exam takes place on the equipment used by the candidate during his or her training. 

    There is a €82,40 registration fee, which is non-refundable. 

    In case of an annulment more than one week before the exam or upon presentation of a medical certificate, the registration fee can be moved to another date. 

    To pass, one must obtain 50% of the points for each subject and 60% in total. No exoneration will be granted for the practical part. 

    In case of a re-examination, an exemption is only granted for the theoretical parts for which the candidate obtained 70% or more and if the candidate does so within one year after the original examination. 

    In the event of a re-examination, the practical part must always be redone.
     

  • Consultation on a draft Royal Decree implementing Article 121/1, § 2, subsection two, of the Act of 13 June 2005 on electronic communications as regards the retention of access to an email address upon switching operators

    Publications › Consultation -
    Upon request of the Minister of Telecommunications the BIPT organises a public consultation in order to gather contributions regarding a draft Royal Decree implementing Article 121/1, § 2, subsection two, ECA. The Royal Decree aims to set the maximum amount for the fee of the provider of this facility in case of its renewal.
  • Consultation on the draft of the operational plan 2023

    Publications › Consultation -
    Consultation on the draft of the operational plan 2023
  • Decision of 22 November 2022 regarding the analysis of tariff increases for bpost's single-piece rates for the year 2023

    Publications › Decision -
    This monitoring takes place in accordance with Article 18 of the Act of 26 January 2018.
  • FAQ

    If these tips are not helpful you can install a technical solution to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal.

    The operators also offer such solutions (sometimes for free): therefore you can ask your operator for information about this.

    There are various technical options:

    Replace the modem

    You may still have an older modem. Consult with your operator if it would be useful to have it replaced by a more recent model.

    Newer types also support Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), for instance. This wireless technology uses multiple transmitters and receivers to transfer more data simultaneously. This technology will not only considerably increase the speed, but also benefit the range and robustness of the connection in multipath surroundings. In radio communications a multipath refers to the phenomenon resulting in radio signals reaching the antenna through two or more paths. A multipath can be caused by reflection of the signal through reflective surfaces (metal partitions, buildings, water surfaces, ...).  

    Install a Wi-Fi repeater

    This device retransmits the Wi-Fi signal to extend the range.

    The installation is very simple: all you have to do is plug in the repeater at a location where the modem’s Wi-Fi signal is still strong enough to be retransmitted. However, if the retransmitted signal is of inferior quality (too much interference or too weak for instance) at the location of the repeater, using a repeater will not produce a good result either. If the repeater does not deliver the desired result, place it a little closer to the modem. 
    In older repeater models the available speed is halved for devices connected to the repeater. 

    Set up a Wi-Fi mesh network

    In case of mesh systems a single main router is connected to your modem. This main router forwards the signal to the accompanying modules or “satellites” (minimum of 2). The Wi-Fi signal is communicated among all those modules to form a single Wi-Fi network. 

    This solution is ideal for locations where there is no Ethernet cable and the Wi-Fi signal is not strong enough. You only need a cable that connects your modem to the main satellite. Next you place the other modules where you want a better range and the system will configure itself.

    Install an extra access point

    A “Wi-Fi hotspot” or access point is an additional wireless access point to connect equipment to the Wi-Fi, at a location where your modem’s Wi-Fi coverage is insufficient. The access point is connected to the modem by means of a network cable or through a PLC adapter (“powerline”, “powerline homeplugs”). This results in optimum speed and a stable signal.

    In the case of PLC adapters  there are models with a built-in Wi-Fi access point.  At least 2 are needed: one to plug in near your modem and a second one to plug in where you want to extend the range of the Wi-Fi signal. Combined they ensure that the Internet signal is sent from A to B. Unfortunately it may happen that the signal does not optimally reach the second powerline adapter, thus lowering the speed. There is no guarantee that you will always reach the highest speed.

    Caution: Other ways, such as amplifying the Wi-Fi signal through either an external repeater or by replacing the router’s antenna, are prohibited.

  • FAQ

    All you need to know about 5G

    5G is introduced in Belgium in keeping with the European guidelines. With the 5G Action Plan for Europe the European Commission suggested a coordinated roll-out of 5G as early as 2016. The European Union designated three preferential frequency bands for the 5G technology: 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz. The European Electronic Communications Code, approved by the European Parliament and the Council (in which also Belgium is represented by the competent minister) and which had to be transposed into Belgian law by 21 December 2020, imposed a specific schedule on the Member States for the introduction of 5G in these frequency bands.
    This schedule is binding. By the end of June 2020 the deadline for making the 700 MHz band available expired, the period of validity of the user rights for the other pioneer bands had to end by 31 December 2020 at the latest.

    The introduction in Belgium was the result of a long democratic process. This was initiated by the BIPT with the publication of its communication of 10 September 2018 regarding the introduction of 5G in Belgium. Next, the BIPT published different public consultations on the legislative texts. In July 2018 the then federal Council of Ministers adopted the draft texts organising the 3400-3800 MHz band auction for the first time. Prior to proceeding to an auction, the Consultation Committee, the body for the alignment of the different Belgian governments’ policies, has to come to an agreement regarding this.

    At the same time as the deliberations in the Consultation Committee, the federal Parliament was informed as well. On 11 December 2019 a hearing regarding the 5G roll-out took place and a topical debate on 5 February.

    In the absence of a political agreement and with the European deadline for the introduction of 5G in sight, the BIPT initiated a procedure for the granting of temporary user rights in a part of the 3600 MHz band for the provision of 5G. Early 2020, the BIPT launched a call for candidates. The draft decision for the granting of the temporary licences to the candidate operators (Cegeka, Entropia Investments BVBA, Orange Belgium, Proximus and Telenet Group), including the terms and conditions for use, such as the technical requirements, the fees due, the validity of the licence ... was published for public consultation on 23 March 2020. 

    On 22 January 2021, the federal Council of Ministers reviewed the 5G case and ratified a bill and a number of Royal Decrees enabling the auction of 5G rights in our country following the approval of, among others, the Consultation Committee. 

    On 26 May 2021 the Consultation Committee already approved the bill, which was adopted in the Chamber’s plenary assembly on 17 June and was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 6 July 2021.

    Following this, a public consultation was held from 16 July until 31 August 2021 on the Royal Decrees further implementing the multiband auction during which 5G user rights shall be put up for auction as well.

    On November 24, 2021, the consultation committee gave its final approval regarding the royal decrees for the auction of 5G spectrum. After the publication of the royal decrees on 23 December 2021, BIPT has started with the preparations for the auction, and the auction itself.

    On 20 July 2022 the BIPT concluded the final phase of the radio spectrum auction.

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