Belgacom announced plans to roll out a LTE network as well as cooperate with the Wi-Fi provider Fon. The operator said the plans support the convergence of fixed and mobile networks, allowing users to switch seamlessly from fixed to mobile internet. The operator plans to use its existing rights in the 1800MHz band to test the LTE network with a limited number of users, in anticipation of a commercial launch when LTE handsets come on the market. The test network will operate in Hasselt, Bergen, Waver and the industrial park in Haasrode, where a number of technology companies operate. The agreement with Fon is expected to help the operator create the largest Wi-Fi network in Belgium. Later this year customers will be able to register for the service, which gives them access to the global Fon hotspot network if they agree to open their own router to Wi-Fi sharing. Several hundreds of thousands of Belgacom are expected to join the network.
