14 September 2020

Belgian telecom regulator BIPT has offered temporary 5G licences to Proximus, Cegeka, Entropia, Telenet and Orange Belgium.

All received 40MHz of channel bandwidth each and the temporary 5G licences will remain valid until the 5G auction, delayed in Belgium due to a disagreement between regional governments over proceedings.

Proximus, 53.5% owned by the Belgian government, was the first mobile operator to launch 5G mobile network in the country, using spectrum in existing holdings. 

The operator’s chief executive officer (CEO) Guillaume Boutin said: “We are in close contact with all concerned municipalities, and with the Walloon region.” 

Boutin said the company is increasing efforts to demystify environmental and health aspects of 5G.