Proximus’ fiber optic network now reaches 26 percent of the population. The number of effective users is also increasing, both privately and professionally.

With its fiber optic network, Proximus now covers 26 percent of the population. The provider itself announced this in its quarterly results. 1.6 million households in 133 cities and towns now have access to fiber optics. Both private and business customers can benefit from the fiber optic network. According to the provider, both have a total of 353,000 active fiber optic connections, counted at the end of September this year. 31,000 of these connections were added in the third quarter of 2023.

The provider invested 904 million euros in the first nine months of this year and is aiming for a total investment of 1.3 billion by the end of the year. 28 percent of this money flows into fiber optic expansion. This means that investments in the back end of the network are slightly lower.

BIPT flexibility

Proximus also welcomes the fact that the BIPT has decided that providers can cooperate in the rollout of fiber under certain conditions. This was not possible without BIPT’s blessing and the infrastructure had to be duplicated. This offers more redundancy and independence, but of course also costs significantly more. In October, the body announced that operators could enter into agreements, which the BIPT would then review. Competition remains important: collaborations in sparsely populated areas will get the green light more quickly than in cities.

Proximus’ total sales rose by 4.3 percent to 1.173 million euros in this quarter. There was an increase in sales of 5.5 percent for private customers, while growth in the commercial sector was limited to 4.1 percent. Overall, Proximus’ financial results are positive, forcing the provider to revise its expectations for 2023 upwards.