Major telecom operators are discussing cooperation in installing fiber optic cables to reduce high costs and inconvenience.

De Tijd learned from several sources that Proximus, Telenet and Orange Belgium are sitting at the table to discuss a cooperation agreement for cheaper fiber optic connections. The high cost and inconvenience associated with installing fiber has led the BIPT to enable collaboration between operators. According to reports, the discussions are already at an advanced stage and the registration deadline for cooperation with BIPT is getting closer and closer: May 15th.

Around the table

Sources from De Tijd, Proximus, Telenet with its 67 percent stake in Wyre and Orange Belgium are nearing an agreement to collaborate on installing fiber. Proximus would speak to Wyre for Flanders and to Orange for Wallonia, although in the latter case there is less pressure for an agreement.

Flanders is divided into three zones: Zone A with the large cities, Zone B with less populated cities and Zone C with rural areas. The latter, more expensive region will be discussed later. The possible deal seems to mainly affect the B regions.

reduce costs

Laying fiber optic cables requires redevelopment of roads, which can cause disruption and high excavation costs. Operators have been advocating for the possibility of collaboration for some time, which led to telecommunications regulator BIPT allowing collaborations between telecommunications companies.

Since last year, telecommunications companies have been allowed to cooperate in installing fiber optics under certain conditions and with the approval of regulators. Companies must register their partnerships before May 15, although this is not a strict deadline. The BIPT said in a statement last year that it was ready to take this date into account.