Telecommunications market of BelgiumPhone Cards, Calling Cards |
| One of the smaller and more densely populated countries in Europe, Belgium was initially slow to adopt the Internet and related data and broadband. However, the broadband market has taken off in recent years, largely at the expense of dial-up Internet subscriptions. Being a heavily cabled country, most broadband activity was initially from the cable TV network operators. Although strong ADSL growth has developed since 2001, cable has retained a 38-40% market share. This Paul Budde report profiles Belgium’s fixed and wireless broadband markets in 2005, and assesses developments in related technologies such as WFA, WLAN and WiFi. |
| Belgium has a small but advanced telecommunications market. The country’s comprehensive DSL and cable networks have provided an excellent basis for the take-up of IP-based technologies. Broadband penetration is almost twice the EU average, and the fifth highest in Europe. This report introduces the key aspects of the Belgian telecom market in 2005. Comprehensive data is provided on fixed network services, and on the broadband and mobile phone sectors. In addition to valuable statistics, the report overviews the key regulatory issues, noting the status of interconnection, Local Loop Unbundling, number portability and carrier preselection. The telecommunications infrastructure and major fixed network operators and are also profiled in this Paul Budde report. |
| Belgium’s mobile market is characterised by the clear triopoly of the incumbent’s mobile division, Proximus, and two established new entrants, which together controlled about half of the market in 2005. Although developed, the market has room to grow, and only one 3G operator has launched services. This Paul Budde report profiles Belgian’s mobile market in 2005, providing the latest statistics on the main players, as well as the most recent developments on UMTS/3G roll-outs. Take-up of the major mobile data services, including SMS, WAP, GPRS and i-mode, is also noted. |
| Belgium Phone Cards |