For fixed telephony you need a provider for the connection and a provider for the fixed telephony service (calls).
You can buy a connection and calls from a single operator or from several operators, by using technologies based on the copper telephone line, the TV cable or the Internet.
What are the technical possibilities to make or receive calls from a fixed appliance ?
These are the possibilities in a nutshell:
| Connection | Technology | Fixed telephony provider | Possibilities and equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the telephone network | PSTN / ISDN (classic analogue or digital telephone line) | Incumbent (Proximus) or alternative operator using the Proximus network | Fixed analogue telephone (PSTN) or digital telephone (ISDN), cordless or not (DECT). You can ask to keep the number of your landline |
| On the telephone network | PSTN / ISDN (classic analogue or digital telephone line) | C(P)S operator |
Call using an access code (CS/CPS). For this a previous subscription with the incumbent or an alternative operator is needed. |
| On the DSL network | Voice over IP (VoIP) through a DSL line | Incumbent (Proximus) or alternative operator using the Proximus network |
Modem supporting VoIP and fixed telephone, cordless or not (DECT). |
| On the fibre optics network | Voice over IP (VoIP) through a fibre optics line | Incumbent (Proximus) or alternative operator using the Proximus network |
Modem supporting VoIP and fixed telephone, cordless or not (DECT). |
| On the cable television network |
TV cable |
Incumbent (Telenet, VOO or Brutélé) or alternative operator using the cable TV network |
You can ask to keep the fixed telephony number |
| On the Internet |
VoIP out (no number allocated to receive calls)
|
No number transfer required; however Internet service is required |
Therefore, certain solutions require you to have an Internet connection and appropriate equipment (modem, PC, VoIP, ...).
