Mobile prices in Belgium can vary by almost EUR 240 per year, according to a comparison of price plans by regulator BIPT. Prices for fixed internet differ by as much as EUR 40 per month. This is BIPT's second comparison of retail prices on the market, ordered by the government and based on its comparison website. The first was released in July 2013.
The regulator looked at 305 consumer plans for fixed and mobile telephony (pre- and postpaid) and fixed internet and triple-play plans, up to the start of February. The comparison focused on the cheapest available tariff for a number of standard user profiles. Roaming and international calls, as well as promotional offers were left out of the equation.
Based on an average use of 120 minutes, 100 SMS and 50 MB per month, the survey found that postpaid prices differed by almost EUR 240 per year, or EUR 8-27 per month. For average prepaid use of 100 minutes and 150 SMS per month, the difference was over EUR 120 per year, at EUR 10-21 per month.
In the fixed market, low- to medium-use customers with telephony, internet of at least 20 Mbps and TV have a price range of EUR 46.76 to EUR 65.29 per month, among the 15 cheapest plans on the market. For a faster internet of at least 50 Mbps, the price varies by almost EUR 20 per month, from EUR 57.05 to 77.01.
Prices vary much more for internet service only, by almost EUR 40 per month for at least 20 Mbps and around EUR 25 for 50 Mbps or higher. The price difference is smaller for fixed telephony, based on average use in off-peak times, ranging from EUR 23 to 33 per month.
The regulator noted that given the wide range of prices on the market, consumers are best off making use of comparison tools, such as its own meilleurtarif/bestetarif.be.
