Belgian cable operator Telenet plans to start deploying its mobile 5G network from 6 December, starting around Leuven, Antwerp and the coast. Customers with a 5G smartphone and a One, Oneup, Klik and King or Kong business subscription will be the first to get 5G services, at no additional cost, with other mobile products of Telenet, Telenet Business and Base following in the spring. By 2025, the entire mobile network of Telenet and Base should be upgraded with 5G.
Telenet is working with Nokia and Ericsson on the update of its radio network. For One subscribers, adding 5G will raise mobile speeds up to 150 Mbps. The other subscriptions will be able to reach a speed of up to 1 Gbps.
In December, 5G coverage will still be limited to a few zones around Antwerp, Leuven and the coast. Expansion next year will take place in the major Flemish cities and along the motorways. The entire rollout will take place in full compliance with the existing standards for electromagnetic radiation, the operator said.
For the initial rollout, Telenet will use the provisional spectrum license granted by regulator BIPT for the 3.6-3.8 GHz band. The company noted that it is waiting for the government’s spectrum auction, scheduled for the second quarter of next year, for the full rollout. Until then, it will also reuse 4G spectrum for 5G at certain locations.
The company added that Telenet Business will continue to focus on developing new applications through partnerships. Telenet has already been testing 5G services with partners such as research institute Imec and the university and city of Leuven.
The launch marks the second 5G network in Belgium. Proximus started limited 5G services already in 2020.
