Brussels 5G rollout to start in September

From September, antennas in the Brussels region will be able to distribute 5G. The main legislative work has been done, De Tijd and L'Echo reported on Saturday.

Network operators such as Telenet-Base, Orange and Proximus can now apply to the Brussels Environment Agency for a licence to operate 5G antennas. They have eight weeks to respond. The operators' applications are reportedly ready to be sent.

Priority will be given to the most densely populated areas

Once everything is approved, all that remains is for the existing antennas to be technically upgraded from 4G to 5G. This is a simple process that will only take a few days. The first 5G antennas in Brussels could be switched on in September. Priority will be given to the most densely populated areas.

However, it could be another year before the entire capital is covered. The region has stipulated that the antennas can only transmit 14.5 volts per metre. This means more antennas must be placed on existing sites to meet demand.

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}