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Belgian Competition Authority Launches Probe into Proximus–Orange Fiber Network Agreement

By  |  July 31, 2025

The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has initiated an ex officio investigation into a proposed partnership between Proximus and Orange Belgium aimed at expanding fiber-optic infrastructure in Wallonia. The probe seeks to assess whether the collaboration could potentially limit competition in Belgium’s telecommunications market.

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    According to a statement from the BCA, the inquiry was triggered following a memorandum of understanding signed by Proximus and Orange Belgium on July 24, 2025. The agreement outlines a cooperative effort to accelerate the deployment and utilization of high-speed fiber networks, particularly in less-densely populated regions of Wallonia.

    The move follows a broader strategic focus on fiber roll-out nationwide, which the BCA previously flagged as a key priority for Belgium’s economic growth. In October 2023, the Authority announced its intent to monitor any such cooperative initiatives closely, citing potential implications for market competition. This announcement came shortly after a communication from the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) on October 10, 2023, which addressed similar concerns regarding partnerships in Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network expansion.

    Per a statement from the BCA, the investigation will consider whether the proposed cooperation complies with national and European competition laws, including Article IV.1 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. These provisions prohibit agreements between companies that could distort market competition.

    A central aspect of the investigation involves determining whether the anticipated benefits of the collaboration—such as cost savings and increased efficiency—would be equitably shared with end users. The BCA emphasized that due to the substantial financial investment required for fiber deployment, the inquiry will take a long-term perspective, factoring in current market conditions and the likely evolution of the sector in the absence of the deal.

    Source: Belgian Competition