Our country performs very poorly in Europe in terms of connectivity, although BIPT notes that the indicators used do not reflect the real situation. Finally, connectivity in our country and certainly in Flanders remains excellent, while significant improvements are on the horizon.

BIPT publishes an update of its study on network quality and coverage in Belgium. The main conclusion is clear: In our country, the fixed and mobile network coverage is still good to very good. Compared to other European countries, Belgium is lagging behind when it comes to adopting new technologies. Because the providers of both 5G and fiber optics are less advanced, we are even at the bottom of the European DESI ranking (Digital Economy & Society Index).

The EU’s DESI ranking gives a distorted picture, as it focuses on 5G and fiber optics. In practice, our country has above-average connectivity thanks to a strong wired infrastructure and high 4G coverage. Although this infrastructure is still based on older technology, it has been developed in such a way that speeds are actually higher than in most other European countries.

1 Gbit/s, no fiber

For example, BIPT has found that the vast majority in both Flanders and Brussels already have access to wired internet at speeds of 1 Gbit/s, regardless of fiber roll-out. The situation is different in the south of the country: Less than half have access to such speeds there. The BIPT points to the lower population density in Wallonia, which makes it economically unattractive for operators to make large investments.

The figures speak for themselves: of the 38,000 Belgian households that still do not have access to the Internet at a speed of 30 Mbit/s, 31,000 live in Wallonia. Population density is not an all-encompassing excuse in this regard. BIPT notes that in the Walloon region, the cable network in more densely populated areas has not yet been upgraded with the latest technologies. This is currently being worked on.

5G backlog

Mobile is less of a difference. The BIPT notes that 4G coverage in our country is very good. 99.9 percent have good indoor coverage near exterior walls. Deeper in the home, coverage is excellent for 97.3 percent of Belgians. In Flanders, coverage deeper in the house is certainly better than in Wallonia, again because of the lower population density and the associated economic reality.

With 5G, we are lagging behind compared to other European countries. Although our country is in good shape when it comes to 5G connectivity, according to operators and IT providers, the reality is that the network is currently a little less developed than in the rest of Europe. This is due to Belgian politics, which has delayed the auction of the 5G spectrum for several years due to internal quarrels.

overtaking movement

The BIPT is not concerned about the low DESI score. This will improve significantly in the future thanks to large investments in both fiber and 5G. Wired and wireless network upgrades are happening at a rapid pace. By September 1, 2023, 70 percent of the population should have access to 5G, and a year later it should be 99.5 percent. This is stipulated in the terms and conditions of the frequency auction. Please note: The coverage rate does not imply that the quality of coverage is also good or the availability of advanced features that 5G Standalone offers.