In December 2020, Proximus activated 5G in the spectrum for which temporary user rights had been obtained at a number of sites.
In addition, for its 5G Light product, launched in April 2020, Proximus uses the frequency bands that had already been assigned to it in the past based on its 3G licence, i.e. the 2100 MHz band. In accordance with the principle of technological neutrality (imposed by the European Directives), the operators having obtained user rights in a given frequency band are free to choose which technology they use. In that regard, Proximus’s démarche was completely legal. The accompanying tariff plan was baptised Mobilus 5G Unlimited and was offered at 49.99 EUR/month. It allows a download speed that is up to 30% higher than with 4G.
Proximus has to continue to comply with the current radiation standards for its 5G Light product as well.
Telenet will be gradually launching its mobile 5G network as of December 2021.
The first 5G zones are located 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 experience the benefits of this new technology. The other mobile products of Telenet, Telenet Business and BASE will follow in the spring of 2022. The 5G network will then be developed in the following years.
Currently 5G test licences are also deployed for 5G testing.