Competition and market development
Annual report 2024
Promotion of sustainable competition and development of the internal market
To carry out its missions in the regulated sectors, the BIPT must have a perfect insight into the situation of the markets. Monitoring is thus a core activity of the BIPT. Belgium’s results within the framework of the Digital Decade programme are being closely monitored. In 2024, the BIPT examined the valuation of the assets transferred by Fluvius to Wyre and concluded that the transfer had been carried out on market terms. The BIPT also monitored the antenna sharing agreements between Digi-Citymesh and Proximus and prepared a new network sustainability study, incorporating the requirements of the CSRD. On the postal side, the 2023 edition of the sectoral observatory was published in October 2024.
In 2024, the BIPT continued to review the broadband and broadcasting wholesale markets. It has finalised the study enabling to distinguish, in the context of the deployment of fixed very high capacity networks (VHCN), areas with high potential competition from those that could lead operators to resort to a type of cooperation. A project between Proximus and Telenet is currently being examined. The review of the wholesale dedicated capacity market analysis has been started. The BIPT has also decided to deregulate the fixed and mobile termination markets. At the same time, it inspected and validated several reference offers. The margin squeeze tests started in 2023 have been finalised and have revealed no infringements. Finally, the BIPT has ensured the effective implementation of the free choice of modem by monitoring the compliance of operators with the new obligations and preparing the handling of any complaints from end-users.
As regards the digital sector, the BIPT closely follows and actively participates in discussions and work on the implementation of the Data Act in Belgium and at European level.
Scarce resources management
As the authority managing the numbering plan, the BIPT ensures that numbers, which are a finite resource, are used efficiently. The BIPT regularly adapts the numbering plan to meet the needs of new services while preserving the available reserves. In 2024, the BIPT carried out a study on the appropriateness of sub-allocating telephone numbers. It also reviewed and validated a request to increase wholesale prices for “.be” domain names. The BIPT is also responsible for the operational management of numbering requests and processed 453 requests in 2024.
The BIPT assigns frequency bands to operators in order to distribute the radio spectrum in an optimal fashion. Despite two calls for applications, the 3410-3430 MHz band remained unsold. The BIPT has also prepared the future use of the 26 GHz band and regularised the spectrum use in the North Sea. The deployment of private 5G networks continued, in particular with the arrival of Digi-Citymesh, the fourth mobile operator. The BIPT participated in working groups within the RSPG (Radio Spectrum Policy Group) on the future use of different frequency bands.
In 2024, the BIPT issued various technical provisions on the use of radio equipment. As the BIPT is responsible for monitoring the spectrum, it also carried out preventive checks and checks during major events, and resolved 176 harmful interference cases in 2024.
Promotion of VHCN connectivity
The BIPT works to promote very high capacity connectivity (VHCN) in Belgium, both for fixed and mobile networks. In line with the European objectives, its ambition is to ensure a generalised access to these networks for all by 2030, based on competition between operators and the empowerment of market players.
As part of the Connectivity Toolbox Recommendation and the European Digital Decade Programme, Belgium is committed to covering all populated areas with next-generation wireless networks equivalent to 5G. The BIPT also supports the implementation of the European Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), adopted in April 2024, which aims to accelerate the deployment of VHCN networks and reduce its costs.
The regulator has also increased transparency around the deployment of fibre (FTTH) thanks to the Infofibre website and a map updated quarterly. In 2024, a section on rights regarding deployment on façades was added.
Finally, the BIPT actively participated in the calls for projects of the FPS Economy aimed at promoting 5G via test environments. Between 2022 and 2024, 38 projects were supported for a total budget of €35 million under the “Telecom to the next level” programme.
