• FAQ

    Certain operators have offers that include applications of which the consumption is not deducted from the data volume.

    That practice, often called “zero-rating”, is not explicitly regulated by the net neutrality rules.

    One part of the net neutrality rules generally specifies that Internet traffic should be treated in the same way. 

    It was clear that this meant that it is forbidden to allow zero-rating applications to continue at the normal speed, whereas other traffic was blocked or throttled (e.g. because the data volume in the bundle was used up). 

    But whether that rule also applied to a different way of billing, without blocking or throttling in an unequal way, was not clear. 

    The European Court of Justice has ruled that this is the case. 

    Zero-rating offers for certain applications are therefore unlawful and have to be adapted. 

    If the adaptation is to your disadvantage, you have the right to cancel your contract free of charge.

  • Record level of investments in the telecoms market

    Publications › Press release -
    The decrease in the number of fixed telephony lines continued in 2021. In its annual report on the figures of the electronic communications market, the BIPT noted a further decrease of almost 10% in the number of connections. The fixed broadband Internet traffic continues its upward trend, increasing by almost 13%, and bundles are increasingly used for this purpose. The average data consumption per fixed broadband Internet connection also increased to 239 GB per month, 19 GB more than in 2020. Major investments are being made in order to keep up with this development: the BIPT reports a record level of investments. Last year, investments in the fixed segment increased by no less than 23% to over EUR 1 billion.
  • Economic situation of the telecoms sector 2021: presentation

    Publications › Statistics -
    Economic situation of the telecoms sector 2021: presentation
  • Economic situation of the telecoms sector 2021 : data

    Publications › Statistics -
    Economic situation of the telecoms sector 2021 : data
  • Bundles on the mobile market increase by 16% in 2021

    Publications › Press release -
    The BIPT's annual report on the figures of the electronic communications market highlights the growing success of bundles in the mobile market. These bundles combine fixed and mobile services. The total number of data SIM cards increased by 4,7% in 2021, and they also process more and more mobile data.
  • The BIPT imposes a fine of EUR 85,000 on Sewan

    Publications › Press release -
    BIPT blames Sewan Belgium for not having correctly completed the required identification fields in the register, thus for creating uncertainty for consumers seeking information on the payphone numbers Sewan holds.
  • Application of 22 April 2022 against the BIPT Council Decision of 24 February 2022 (Telenet works)

    Publications › Dispute -
    The applicant seeks the annulment of the BIPT Council Decision of 24 February 2022 on the location and method of execution of the works to be carried out on Telenet’s network.
  • The BIPT maps out the status of fibre roll-out in our country

    Publications › Press release -
    On the map published by the BIPT today, anyone can see where fibre is available (or will be shortly) and which operators provide their services using those networks
  • The BIPT publishes a study mapping out the 5G applications abroad

    Publications › Press release -
    To inspire Belgian businesses and to ensure that the imminent 5G roll-out goes hand in hand with a swift uptake of this new technology, the BIPT publishes a study mapping out possibly inspiring 5G applications abroad. From the vast range of existing foreign examples, 113 use cases of various types have been selected as most relevant to the Belgian context.
  • The Gaming Commission and the BIPT sign an agreement to better combat illegal online gambling and betting

    Publications › Press release -
    In order to ensure a secure and controlled gambling environment, both regulators agreed to join forces to address the problems related to illegal gambling and betting websites operating without an operating licence and offering no protection to Belgian gamblers.
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