Proximus, Fiberklaar, Telenet and Wyre welcome the launch of a market test on the proposed gigabit-network collaboration in Flanders
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA), supported by the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT), announced today the start of a market test, assessing the proposed collaboration between Proximus nv, Fiberklaar bv Telenet bv and Wyre bv on the further deployment of high-speed gigabit networks in Flanders. The market test will conclude on Friday 21 November. The announcement is an important step toward a broader and faster roll-out of fiber to more Flemish households, with limited civil works.
In July 2024, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a possible collaboration, with the objective of ensuring a faster and more efficient deployment of high-speed gigabit networks for households and businesses. Investment in future-proof digital infrastructure, with a focus on fiber technology, is critical to stimulate innovation and strengthen the economy.
Under the proposed partnership, fiber connectivity would be provided to about 2 million homes and businesses in areas with medium to low population density, supplemented by hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) technology for about 700,000 homes in the most sparsely populated areas, allowing to provide gigabit speeds throughout Flanders. Access to the networks would be available to all operators on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms
In ”medium-dense” areas, Wyre and Fiberklaar would build fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks, with reciprocal access to that infrastructure for Proximus and Wyre as well as their respective wholesale customers. The parties are convinced that this approach should result in a more efficient roll-out, broader and quicker access to fiber and reduced construction works. In large cities and the densest parts of the region, operators will continue to deploy their own networks separately.
The parties plan to finalize the agreement after the market test, subject to BCA approval, and reiterate their commitment to fully cooperate with authorities during their investigation. Until a final agreement is reached, the companies will continue to deploy fiber independently.
With this intended collaboration for fiber roll-out in Flanders and the announced MoU for collaboration in Wallonia, we demonstrate that we want to contribute to ensuring the digital competitiveness for the whole country. Whilst Proximus has always been a frontrunner in fiber deployment, smart collaboration between operators is needed to bring fiber to as many citizens and businesses as possible under the right economic conditions, especially in less densely populated areas.
