• The BIPT publishes its comparative international price study for 2022

    Publications › Press release -
    The BIPT publishes its comparative international price study for 2022
  • In 2021 peace returned to the parcel and express services sector following a record year marked by the pandemic

    Publications › Press release -
    The Belgian postal activities observatory, which is based on the aggregated data provided by the operators and is published annually, allows us to form a picture of the developments within the postal sector.
  • 16.8% increase of the non-prior stamp in 2023

    Publications › Press release -
    This increase will bring the non-prior stamp to a piece rate of 1.39 euro in 2023.
  • The BIPT extends its tariff simulator to microenterprises and the self-employed

    Publications › Press release -
    The self-employed and 'SMEs can also use besttariff.be to access a telecommunications tariff tailored to their real needs.
  • The BIPT publishes a study on the sustainability of the telecom networks in Belgium.

    Publications › Press release -
    A study commissioned by the BIPT shows that sustainability is a major theme for the Belgian telecom operators. During the 2018-2021 period their energy consumption dropped by 11% and the CO2 emissions by 38%.
  • The BIPT publishes a study on data centres and digital content providers in Belgium

    Publications › Press release -
    In order to get a better overview of the Belgian players in the field of data centres and digital content providers, the BIPT conducted a study analysing the commercial developments on the market and making an inventory of the services offered. Security and sustainability were also examined.
  • Save up to €240 per year by comparing telecoms tariffs

    Publications › Press release -
    Due to the current high inflation rates, consumers are paying more attention to their budgets. Moreover, some operators also reflect the rising inflation in their prices. Therefore, regularly comparing tariffs in a far from uniform telecommunications market is more useful than ever to save money, regardless of the household budget. Several telecommunications offers have recently adjusted the amount of data included. Carrying out a tariff comparison helps consumers see which services best suit their real needs. The latest national price comparison study of the BIPT shows that this approach pays off.
  • 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.

  • FAQ

    The public will not be able to use 5G after the auction's end.

    he roll-out of 5G networks requires private companies to invest in network infrastructure. Consequently, the introduction of 5G in Belgium is not only defined by the availability of spectrum but by the willingness of providers to invest in 5G as well.

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