The conditions for granting authorizations for private broadband local radio networks in the 3800-4200 MHz frequency band are fixed by the Royal Decree of June 4, 2023 concerning private broadband local wireless networks.
The conditions for exercising the authorizations are fixed by the decision of December 19, 2023, amended by the decision of April 7, 2026.
What is a private broadband local wireless network?
- Private: Network for purposes other than the provision of public electronic communications networks or publicly available electronic communications services.
- Local: No legal limit on the size of the network, but need for a link between the license holder and the territory covered by the license.
- 5G?: Principle of technological neutrality.
Authorized frequencies
The following 20 MHz or 40 MHz channels can be authorized:
| 20 MHz channels | 40 MHz channels |
|---|---|
| 4090 MHz | |
| 4110 MHz | 4100 MHz |
| 4130 MHz | |
| 4150 MHz | 4140 MHz |
| 4170 MHz | |
| 4190 MHz | 4180 MHz |
Non-technical conditions
- License duration of 10 years (or less).
- Only a legal person can request a license.
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate a link with the area covered by the license.
- No exhaustive list of what could be considered a link.
- The license covers the use of base stations and terminals within the service area.
Fees
- One-off fee of € 1,634.42
- Annual fees of € 435.85 per MHz and per km²
- Amounts valid for 2026 (adapted each year to the consumer price index)
- Service area of one hectare (10,000 m²)
- 40 MHz
- € 1,634.42 + 174.34 €/year
Technical conditions
- The duplexing mode is time-division duplexing (TDD).
- An unlimited number of base stations can be used within the service area.
- The EIRP of the base stations cannot be higher than:
- 44 dBm for a 20 MHz channel
- 47 dBm for a 40 MHz channel
- All the base stations of a network combined cannot create a field strength higher than 55 dBμV/m/5 MHz, at 10 m above ground level, at 2.5 km from the service area of that network.
- There are specific restrictions for base stations in the 4100-4200 MHz sub-band located less than 1200 m from the runway threshold and 40 m laterally from the runway edge of airports (check this file).
- The out-of-band limits below apply. The limits below 3800 MHz do not apply to networks respecting synchronization parameters "compatible" with the DDDSU frame (see this decision).
| Frequency band | EIRP limit for non-AAS base stations | TRP limit for AAS base stations |
|---|---|---|
| Onder 3800 MHz | -40 dBm/MHz | -50 dBm/MHz |
| 4200-4205 MHz | 11 dBm/5 MHz | 1 dBm/5 MHz |
| 4205-4240 MHz | 8 dBm/5 MHz | -3 dBm/5 MHz |
The TRP of terminals is limited to 28 dBm (with a tolerance of 2 dB).
Transmit power control (TPC) is mandatory and must be activated.
MCC/MNC
The following PLMN IDs can be used for private broadband local networks:
- 206 90
- 206 91
- 999 AB (with the freedom to choose AB, must be notified using this form).
Application procedure
Private broadband local wireless networks can be requested using the application form.
BIPT will examine the requests in the order of their receipt and may grant a license for a maximum duration of 10 years.
Contact
BIPT - Licences Department
Boulevard du Roi Albert II 32 box 10
1000 Brussels
E-mail
Tel: +32 (0)2 226 88 15