Proximus and Telenet Win Approval for Joint Fiber Rollout Across Flanders

The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has given the green light to a pioneering fiber partnership between Fiberklaar, a subsidiary of Proximus, and Wyre, the network builder owned by Telenet. This collaboration is set to accelerate the deployment of multigigabit fiber networks across the suburban areas of Flanders, Belgium’s northern region, in what marks a significant step in the country’s digital infrastructure strategy.

Under the approved plan, Wyre will build 58.5 percent of the network, while Fiberklaar will cover the remaining 41.5 percent. The rollout targets connecting 1.9 million homes by June 30, 2037, with the majority of premises passed by June 30, 2029. The partners will grant each other access to their respective fiber infrastructure, ensuring that only a single fiber network is constructed per area — a model intended to reduce construction disruption, lower costs, and improve deployment efficiency.

Importantly, the partnership will also open the network to other service providers beyond Proximus and Telenet, fostering competition in the wholesale market. Proximus noted that this approach “will allow access for other interested providers while increasing efficiency of the buildout with less disruption caused by construction works.”

In Flanders’ most densely populated areas, where fiber networks are already well advanced, Proximus, Fiberklaar, and Wyre will continue their rollout efforts independently, meaning their respective networks will coexist. For rural areas with low population density, Wyre’s existing HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax) network will be upgraded to deliver higher speeds and multigigabit connectivity, and Proximus will progressively migrate customers onto the upgraded HFC network.

Stijn Bijnens, CEO of Proximus Group, described the regulatory approval as the start of a new chapter for Flanders’ digital future. “Thanks to this collaboration, we will reach more households and businesses with ultra-fast fiber, while simultaneously limiting the impact of construction works in cities and municipalities. In this way, we create a strong digital backbone that supports innovation, economic growth and social progress,” he said.

The partnership is expected to serve as a model for efficient fiber deployment in regions with intermediate population density, balancing the need for high-speed connectivity with responsible urban planning. The BCA’s approval signals that coordinated infrastructure investment can accelerate broadband targets while maintaining competitive dynamics in the telecom market.