Proximus is asking the Belgian government to enable cooperation in the expansion of fiber optics.

Guillaume Boutin, CEO of Proximus, would like to work with competitors to roll out a fiber optic network, but is currently unable to do so due to current legislation. According to Datanews, on Tuesday in the chamber he raised the problem of the numerous plants in some cities. “There’s no point in reopening the footpath three or four times.”

The telecommunications provider is currently expanding its own fiber optic network and relies on external partners such as Fiberklaar for less populated areas.

The ultimate goal is to cover almost all of Belgium with fiber optics. The problem is that Proximus isn’t the only party wanting to offer fibre. Other parties are now also laying fiber to make this network available to telecom operators.

Discussions with the regulator

Boutin now encounters an annoying wall where public companies are not allowed to cooperate with competitors. “When I speak today, it is cartelization. It’s not allowed.” He hopes that through constructive talks, the regulator can create a framework to prevent “too much” fiber from being deployed.

“Of course we have to allow competition where it makes economic sense, in densely populated areas. We don’t want to create a monopoly,” says Boutin. However, where there is more impact on the environment and citizens, there is no point in doing fiber optic work multiple times. He is open to working with competitors to share the planned network.

Earlier this year, Proximus declared its Bold 2025 campaign. By 2025, half of Belgian households must be connected to fiber optics. In 2032 it should be 95 percent. Enterprise connectivity more or less follows this strategy. The commercialization of fiber optics should also have a positive impact on Proximus’ growth. By 2025, one million available fiber optic lines will have to be activated by active customers.