What kind of helpdesk do I need? Where can I find relevant/useful information?
Should the connection be available at all times?
Beware: providers promise their best effort, but please check the quality announced and verify whether your provider undertakes to repair defects.
Do you want online support?
Does the provider offer such support? If so, at what times and at what rate
You should make sure that any problems with your provider’s services will be solved quickly and professionally. Therefore, first make inquiries into the quality of the helpdesk of your future provider and ask what the opening times are and whether this customer service is free of charge.
Different performance indicators of the Belgian mobile telephony operators and Internet service providers are specified in our quality barometer.
Technical possibilities to get Internet access
Fixed Internet
| Type of network | Internet provider | Technology | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone network | Incumbent telephone operator | Of the ADSL or VDSL type | ADSL or VDSL modem, adapted internal cabling, PC, tablet or smartphone |
| Alternative operator for Internet and voice or only Internet | Of the ADSL or VDSL type | ADSL or VDSL modem, adapted internal cabling, PC, tablet or smartphone | |
| Cable network | Incumbent cable television operator | Adapted TV cable | Cable modem, adapted internal cabling, PC, tablet or smartphone |
| Fibre network | New and historical providers | FTTH | Fibre modem, adapted internal cabling, PC, tablet or smartphone |
| Wi-Fi network | Wi-Fi operator | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi modem, compatible PC/tablet/smartphone |
Certain companies established in the neighbouring countries offer Internet access services that can serve Belgium through a satellite connection (e.g. Télésat, TV Vlaanderen).
Regardless of the network and the provider chosen, you had better check whether the offer you have in mind is indeed available at your connection address and whether the line quality does indeed allow access to that offer.
For the coverage offered varies according to the type of network and provider. You can go to the following tools to begin with:
Mobile Internet
| Type of network | Internet provider | Means/ Technology | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3G/4G network | 3G/4G operator or service provider (MVNO) | 3G/4G network | Portable phone with 3G/4G access, smartphone, PC with 3G/4G modem (built-in or through USB modem), tablet suited for 3G/4G |
The BIPT provides for a website on which consumers can compare the providers’ QoS in order to then choose the best offers as it gives a better idea of the user experience it offers.