08 May 2024

Proximus has signed an agreement with NRB to acquire an additional 20MHz of 5G spectrum in the 3600MHz band. NRB is selling its 5G license to refocus on its core business while maintaining its commitment to offer 5G services.

When the spectrum was auctioned in the summer of 2022, it planned to invest Euro600 million over a period of 20 years. At the same auction, NRB obtained a portion of the 5G spectrum with plans to serve various sectors.

Now, two years later, NRB has decided to sell its spectrum and 5G license. It reportedly no longer wishes to roll out its own mobile network but aims to continue offering 5G services to its customers as a mobile virtual network operator through a possible partnership with Proximus. Negotiations for a partnership with Proximus are ongoing.

For Proximus, the acquisition of additional 5G spectrum will further enhance the mobile experience it offers its customers. Acquiring an additional 20MHz in the 3600MHz band, giving Proximus a total of 120MHz, will enable Proximus to add more capacity when needed.

The federal telecommunications regulator BIPT has approved the agreement subject to the effective transfer of rights taking place after the publication of a new call for applications for the 3410-3430MHz band in the Belgian Official Journal. The call for applications will be accompanied by an increase in the spectrum cap from 100MHz to 120MHz, a necessary condition for Proximus to acquire NRB’s 20MHz, given that Proximus already has 100MHz in this band.

“The agreement with Proximus is in line with NRB’s strategy of agile development to contend with a constantly changing market. For us, this decision opens up new prospects for sustainable growth as it allows us to free ourselves from the constraints imposed on 5G operators, enabling us to refocus on our core business as a value-added service integrator,” said NRB. “As part of the redefinition of our positioning on the 5G market in Belgium, we have decided to sell our license to Proximus. We will continue offering mobile 5G services to our customers and are on track to reach an agreement with Proximus.”