In accordance with its willingness of technological leadership, Belgacom has secured the acquisition of the low range of the frequencies that are more favourable in terms of limitation of the interferences with, among others, the radar systems.
Today, during the auction held by the BIPT, the telecom regulator, Belgacom acquired a 4G license in the 2.6 GHz frequency band (20MHz of adjacent spectrum of Frequency Division Duplex) for an amount of EUR 20.22 million. The license is valid for 15 years, effective as of 1 July 2012.
In June 2011, Belgacom was the first Belgian operator to start the rollout of the 4G network via the existing 1.8 GHz band. This new license allows Belgacom to roll out its 4G network in both the 1.8 and 2.6 GHz frequency bands.
Belgacom continuously invests in its fixed and mobile networks, giving customers simple, seamless access to their services and applications, both at home and while on the move, on all devices.
The new 4G mobile network enables ultra-fast mobile data traffic, up to 10 times faster than 3G. This will allow customers to use their mobile data applications with even greater ease on their smartphone, laptop or tablet. Video streaming on a smartphone, laptop or tablet will be immediate, without any download interval. Moreover, 4G will considerably increase the capacity of the mobile network so that the increased use of mobile services and solutions will be absorbed without any problem.
Belgacom will launch a commercial offer as soon as there are enough devices on the market that support 4G and there is sufficient demand from consumers and companies.