Proximus, Wyre, Telenet, and Fiberklaar Sign MoU for Fiber Network Expansion in Flanders

Belgium’s Proximus, Wyre, Telenet, and Fiberklaar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for potential future collaboration to accelerate fiber network deployment in Flanders. This collaboration aims to bring high-speed gigabit networks to approximately 2.7 million homes, particularly in areas with intermediate to low population density. The collaboration would ensure that more consumers benefit from high-speed gigabit networks, leading to broader and faster fiber deployment while reducing civil works, Proximus said in a joint statement on Thursday.

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Fiber-to-the-Home Network Construction

The joint effort will see Wyre and Fiberklaar constructing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks for around 2.0 million homes in medium-density areas, with Wyre covering 60 percent and Fiberklaar 40 percent. Proximus and Telenet will gain reciprocal wholesale access to this infrastructure, promoting a more efficient rollout and reducing civil construction works.

For the most sparsely populated zones, Proximus plans to utilise Wyre’s Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) network to serve about 0.7 million homes, offering gigabit speeds across the region. In densely populated urban areas, each operator will continue to deploy its own networks.

This collaboration is contingent on final agreements and obtaining necessary regulatory and antitrust approvals. Constructive discussions have been ongoing, influenced by the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) and the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA), which are open to such cooperative efforts, the official release said.

The formal signing of the cooperation agreement is anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year, and the companies said no further details will be communicated until the cooperation agreement is formally signed.