Belgian telecom prices ‘average’

Belgium gets an average score compared to its neighbours when it comes to prices for telecom services, according to a study by regulator BIPT, reports Telecompaper. The study looked into telephone, TV and broadband prices, as commissioned by the ministry of economic affairs. Packages here often provide more quality but can be expensive, while mobile call rates fell sharply at the end of last year, giving a boost to Belgian scores. The rates for a few fixed telephone or broadband deals are inexpensive to moderate, but their market share decreased when a series of new bundles were introduced. The study compared Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the UK, and looked at 433 subscriptions, available in August, including 245 for mobile, 46 for fixed telephones, 80 for broadband and 62 for ‘triple play’ packages. Prices for mobile services came under pressure from laws and regulations, it found. Call termination rates are down and, since the enactment of the new Telecom Act, everyone can be free of their contract after six months. Belgium is the cheapest country for mobile services after the UK,  but much of the research is already outdated: after the measurement period, mobile rates fell a further 10 to 50% due to increased competition. For fixed telephones, Belgium is cheap or average compared to neighbouring countries, but it is difficult to get a good direct comparison for fixed broadband prices, BIPT said, concluding that Belgium comes out average, as did the Netherlands. Bundles in Belgium are similar to those in the Netherlands: all on the expensive side, while France is cheaper. Entry-level and median packages are average, but the heavier subscriptions are relatively expensive, and high-end broadband has better specifications in Belgium than in Germany.