Thanks to an adjustment in radiation standards, 5G connectivity can finally roll out in Brussels, although it will take time for 5G to reach everyone in the region.

After a slow start, 5G has been available in major Belgian cities for some time now, but Brussels is a notable exception. The region’s lower radiation standards have made 5G connectivity impossible in the capital, leaving Brussels at risk of isolation. After a long debate, the Brussels government has raised these standards from six volts to 14.5 volts per meter, De Tijd wrote on Saturday morning.

This means that an important hurdle has been overcome and 5G can be brought to Brussels. The big telecom operators that have a 5G license in their pocket can now submit an application to the Brussels environmental administration. According to De Tijd, these requests are already ready to be sent. They could then receive approval within a maximum of eight weeks.

From there, operators can switch quickly. In principle, the existing 4G antennas only have to be adapted to 5G. The first 5G networks in Brussels should therefore become active in the course of September. Currently 5G is only available in the municipality of Jette, which can join the neighboring antennas in Flanders.

5G for everyone

This will take a while. A full coverage rate in the Brussels region can be achieved in one year at best. Since radiation standards are still low even after the increase, more antennas are needed. Once the operators have their approval, they can also begin work.