In an exciting leap towards technological advancement, Belgium is all set to embrace Brussels 5G services with a rollout scheduled for September. This comes after years of effective blocking of the service due to the city’s strict radiation regulations. Now, following an executive order, the city is preparing to adapt and upgrade its network infrastructure.
The Transition to 5G in Brussels
Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, has long held out against the transition to 5G due to the city’s stringent radiation standards. These regulations once resulted in the halting of a 5G pilot in 2019. However, the landscape is changing with the recent loosening of these regulations. The city’s pathway to adopting 5G was cleared following parliamentary approval earlier this year, which relaxed the stringent limits on radio frequency emissions.
Understanding the Radiation Rules
The city’s rigorous radiation rules have historically imposed a barrier to the implementation of new network technologies. The rules stipulated a strict radiation limit of 14.5 volts per meter, demanding a careful, precise deployment of network infrastructure. However, these rules have now been relaxed to pave the way for Brussels 5G services. The transformation, detailed in an executive order published in the official journal, provides the legal grounding for this shift towards high-speed connectivity.
The 5G Rollout Plan: What’s Next?
With the radiation rules now relaxed, the city’s three primary mobile network operators, Proximus, Telenet, and Orange, are set to submit their permit applications to the regional environment authority. The authority is expected to grant authorization within 30 days. Following this, operators will upgrade existing antennas in the city from 4G to 5G.
The process is expected to commence with densely populated areas receiving priority. Full coverage, however, might take up to a year, due to the specific requirements to meet the radiation limit. Orange has taken the lead, already installing 3.5GHz antennas across several sites in Brussels. Meanwhile, Telenet and Proximus have yet to deploy 5G equipment but are slated to gradually roll out the network within this year.
As Brussels stands on the brink of this digital revolution, it’s clear that the transition from 4G to Brussels 5G services represents more than just a network upgrade. It signals the city’s commitment to embracing technological advancement and its potential for driving growth and development.
As we continue to follow this exciting development, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. How do you think this shift to 5G will impact Brussels and its residents? Let’s keep the conversation going!
