€23 vs €72 — why are internet prices so different within the same country? We dissect the structural differences in infrastructure, technology, and strategy.
Internet prices in Belgium range from €23 to €72 per month — a 3x to 7x price difference within the same country. This gap is not simply about speed differences. It results from the complex interplay of infrastructure ownership, technology generations, bundling strategies, and regional monopolies.
Compared to major European countries, Belgium's internet costs are quite high. In France, fiber optic 1Gbps plans are commonly available for under €20/month. Belgian consumers pay more for the same speed compared to the Netherlands and Germany as well.
The massive price variance in Belgian internet is no coincidence. It results from four structural causes that have formed historically: infrastructure ownership, technology generation gaps, marketing strategies, and regional monopolies. Let's examine each in depth.
To understand the Belgian internet market, you first need to know "who owns the physical cables." The cost structures of companies that own their own infrastructure versus those that lease from others are fundamentally different.
Formerly the national telecom (Belgacom). Owns a nationwide copper (DSL) network and is aggressively expanding its FTTP (Fiber to the Premises) network. As the infrastructure owner, Proximus charges other companies wholesale access fees — this is its biggest structural advantage.
Owns the coaxial cable network in Flanders. Originally TV broadcast infrastructure repurposed for internet. Offers 1Gbps download via DOCSIS 3.1, but coaxial's physical limitations cap upload at 50Mbps. Telenet has recently begun fiber conversion in some areas.
Owns the coaxial cable network in Wallonia and parts of Brussels. Orange Belgium acquired VOO in 2023 and brand integration is underway. Like Telenet, coaxial-based so upload speeds are limited.
Owns its own mobile network, but leases Proximus's network for fixed internet. Pays wholesale access fees to Proximus and adds its own margin. The VOO acquisition gave it its own coaxial network in Wallonia, but it remains a leased model in Flanders. This structural cost is reflected in pricing.
Both companies are MVNOs that lease Proximus's network. With no infrastructure of their own, they cut costs on TV services, large-scale marketing, and physical stores. EDPnet achieves Belgium's lowest price at €23/month by offering internet only. Scarlet is Proximus's budget brand (subsidiary).
There are three main internet technologies used in Belgium. The physical characteristics of each directly impact speed, stability, and price.
| Technology | Download | Upload | Latency | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTTP (Fiber) | 1~10 Gbps | 1 Gbps | 1~5ms | Proximus, Orange Fiber |
| DOCSIS 3.1 (Coaxial) | 1 Gbps | 50 Mbps | 5~20ms | Telenet, VOO |
| VDSL2 (Copper) | 100 Mbps | 30 Mbps | 10~30ms | Proximus, EDPnet |
However, in practice, Belgian households have limited fiber options. FTTP coverage is only about 17% (as of 2022), less than a third of the EU average of 56%. Most Belgian households can only choose between coaxial cable or copper DSL, and this limited choice prevents competition and keeps prices high.
Another advantage of fiber is symmetric speeds and low latency. For online gaming, real-time video conferencing, and telemedicine, latency has a major impact on perceived performance. Fiber's 1~5ms latency is a clear improvement over coaxial's 5~20ms and DSL's 10~30ms.
Looking at Belgian telecom price lists reveals an interesting paradox. Bundle prices (Internet+TV+Mobile) are designed to appear "much cheaper" than internet-only prices. This is by design.
The core bundling strategy is to make it difficult to compare individual fair prices for each service. When you see "Internet+TV+Mobile all included for €85!", consumers think "That's a great deal for three services." But someone who only needs internet could get by for €23~30.
| Provider | Internet Only | Internet+TV | Internet+TV+Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proximus | €45 | €65 | €85 |
| Telenet | €55 | €70 | €90 |
| Orange | €30 | €53 | €72 |
Another aspect of the bundling strategy is switching costs. When you have internet+TV+mobile all from one company, switching to another becomes extremely cumbersome: returning the TV decoder, transferring your mobile number, changing your email address (if using Proximus/Telenet email). These high switching barriers suppress competition and ultimately contribute to keeping prices high.
Belgium's fixed internet market has a regional de facto duopoly structure. This formed historically.
In each region, consumers effectively have only two choices: the regional cable company (Telenet or VOO/Orange) and Proximus. While smaller operators like EDPnet and Scarlet exist, they lease the Proximus network, making them part of the Proximus ecosystem rather than independent competitors.
Low fiber coverage means limited competition. In areas with fiber, Proximus Fiber, Orange Fiber and others compete, but in fiber-less areas (83%), the existing coaxial/DSL duopoly continues. This structural monopoly prevents price competition and is the core reason Belgian internet remains expensive by European standards.
When choosing internet in Belgium, the most important step is to first check which networks are available at your address. The table below is a comprehensive comparison of major providers as of March 2026.
| Provider | Network | Lowest Price | Key Product | Speed | TV Included | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proximus | Own (copper+fiber) | €39 | Flex Internet | 100M~1G | Optional | Fiber leader, stability |
| Telenet | Own (coaxial) | €48 | ONE Internet | 300M~1G | Optional | Flanders coverage |
| VOO/Orange | Own (coaxial) | €30 | Internet Start | 100M | Optional | Wallonia coverage |
| Orange | Leased (Proximus) | €30 | Love Internet | 100M~1G | Bundle | Fiber option, price competition |
| Scarlet | Leased (Proximus) | €29 | Scarlet Internet | 100M | No | Budget, simple |
| EDPnet | Leased (Proximus) | €23 | EDPnet Internet | 100M | No | Absolute lowest price |
A clear pattern emerges from the table. Companies with their own networks charge more, while those that lease networks and cut extras charge less. However, you shouldn't compare on price alone. Proximus and Telenet include nationwide store networks, technical support services, and Wi-Fi mesh systems. EDPnet offers phone/online support only.
Belgian internet prices have been rising steadily year after year. In 2025~2026, most providers raised their prices again. Price indexation and network investment costs are cited as the main reasons.
Notable is that price increases happen simultaneously across all companies. When one raises prices, the rest follow. This is a typical characteristic of oligopoly markets. For consumers, the situation is "switching providers won't help because they all raised prices too."
While Belgian internet is structurally expensive, smart choices can save you significant amounts. Use these 5 strategies.
If you barely watch TV, unbundle and subscribe to internet only. Choosing EDPnet (€23/month) or Scarlet (€29/month) can save €300~500 per year compared to a typical bundle. Replace TV with Netflix (€13), YouTube (free), Disney+ (€9) — total cost is still less than a bundle.
Use Meilleurtarif.be and Test-Achats comparison tools. Enter your address and compare all internet products available in your area by price. Hidden costs (installation fees, modem rental, cancellation penalties) are included in the comparison.
Most promotional prices are limited to 12 months. When the promotion ends, prices revert to standard rates. This is the optimal time to negotiate. Call the customer retention department and request a promotion extension, or mention competitor prices — discounts are often available.
100Mbps is enough even for a family of four. 4K streaming requires about 25Mbps, video conferencing about 5Mbps. Even with 4 people using simultaneously, 100Mbps is plenty. 1Gbps is overkill for most households. Dropping one speed tier can save €10~20/month.
Some providers offer student discounts, low-income rates, and senior discounts. Proximus's Internet for All program provides basic internet at €19/month for social tariff beneficiaries. If you qualify for CPAS/OCMW support, be sure to check.