Following a public consultation, telecoms regulator the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) has announced the 2G and 3G spectrum licences held by Orange Belgium, Proximus and Telenet will be extended by a further six months, until 15 September 2022. Originally due to expire on 15 March 2021, the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz permits had already been prolonged for two six-month periods to ensure continuity of services while the regulator prepares a multiband spectrum auction, now expected in June this year, which will reorganise frequency holdings in the three bands.
The operators are liable for a one-off fee of EUR51,644 (USD56,516) per MHz per month for the 900MHz band (including user rights for the 1800MHz frequencies) and EUR20,833 per MHz per month for the 2100MHz band, payable before 31 March. This means Proximus will pay around EUR11.4 million, Orange EUR10.9 million and Telenet EUR8.4 million.