Belgium has three established mobile networks: Proximus, Orange Belgium and BASE, which belongs to the Telenet group. A fourth operator, DIGI, is building its own network and uses the Proximus network where its own antennas do not reach yet. Every other mobile brand in Belgium, such as Mobile Vikings, Scarlet, JIM Mobile, hey telecom, Lycamobile and VOO, rents capacity on one of these networks. Mobile Vikings, for example, runs on the Proximus network. So when you compare mobile operators in Belgium, compare two things separately: the network, which decides your coverage and speed, and the brand, which decides your price, service and conditions.
Network operators and brands: what is the difference?
A network operator owns the antennas, the frequencies and the infrastructure. A brand without its own network, also called an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), buys access to that network and sells its own plans on it. Your calls and data travel over the same antennas, but the price, the customer service, the roaming rules and the extras can be completely different.
Network operator | Brand without its own network (MVNO) | |
|---|---|---|
Owns antennas and frequencies | Yes | No |
Decides coverage and network speed | Yes | No, follows the host network |
Sets its own prices and plans | Yes | Yes |
Examples in Belgium | Proximus, Orange Belgium, BASE, DIGI | Mobile Vikings, Scarlet, JIM Mobile, Lycamobile |
The mobile networks in Belgium
These are the mobile networks in Belgium and the main brands that use them.
Network | Brands on this network |
|---|---|
Proximus | Proximus, Scarlet, Mobile Vikings, JIM Mobile, yoin |
Orange Belgium | Orange, VOO, hey telecom, Neibo, edpnet |
BASE (Telenet group) | BASE, Telenet, TADAAM, Lycamobile |
DIGI | DIGI, with Proximus coverage where its own network is not live yet |
Several of these brands belong to the network owner. Scarlet, Mobile Vikings and JIM Mobile are part of the Proximus group, BASE and Telenet belong to the same group, and VOO is part of Orange Belgium. That is why one network can carry very different offers, from a full service operator with shops to an online only brand.
Which network does Mobile Vikings use?
Mobile Vikings uses the Proximus network for 4G and 5G. Proximus took over Mobile Vikings in 2021 and moved its customers to the Proximus network from January 2022. Mobile Vikings still has its own prices, terms and customer service, but your coverage is the same as on a Proximus SIM card.
How to compare mobile operators in Belgium
Choose the network first, then the brand. A cheaper plan does not help if your gsm has no signal at home or at work.
What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
Coverage where you live and work | Coverage depends on the network, not on the brand |
Data you actually use per month | Paying for 100 GB when you use 8 GB costs money every month |
Speed when your data runs out | Some plans cut you off, others slow down |
Roaming outside the EU | Inside the EU you use your plan at home prices, outside it costs differ a lot |
Contract and notice period | A plan without a fixed term lets you leave at any time |
Calls to other countries | International calls are often charged per minute |
The Belgian telecom regulator BIPT offers a free tool to compare offers, and coverage maps show the signal of each network per street. Test your coverage before you switch: borrow a SIM card on the network you are considering, or use a prepaid card for a few weeks.
Switching mobile operator in Belgium
Ask your new operator to take over your number, and do not cancel your old plan yourself. The new operator arranges the transfer with your old one, and your old plan ends as soon as your number works on the new SIM card. You need your number and, for a subscription, your customer number, or for a prepaid card, the SIM card number, which your new operator asks for when you sign up. Transferring your number is free. If you cancel your old plan before the transfer, you can lose your number for good. Read how to keep your number when you change mobile providers for the full steps.
Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
Subscription without a fixed term | Switch at any time, free of charge |
Fixed term contract, first six months | The operator may charge the remaining fees up to month six |
Contract with a discounted phone | You pay the remaining value of the phone |
Prepaid card | Ask your old operator about unused credit after the transfer |
What mobile operators in Belgium cost per year
Prices differ more between brands than between networks. The table below compares Firsty's mobile plans made for people in Belgium with similar subscriptions from Proximus, Orange, BASE and Mobile Vikings, per year.
See how Firsty compares.
Choose your Firsty plan. Compare prices, data and extras with other providers.
Firsty 15 GB と Proximus、Orange、BASE、Mobile Vikings の比較
| 含まれる内容 | 15 GB | ProximusMobile Easy | OrangeOrange Mobile Medium | BASEBASE 15 | Mobile Vikings€15 · 40 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ベルギーと EU で 15 GB。ベルギーと EU でフルスピード。ローミングの追加オプションは不要です。他社では、EU 内のデータが国内より少ないことがよくあります。モバイルデータ | 15 | 含まれる: 1515 GB | 含まれる: 7575 GB | 含まれる: 1515 GB | 含まれる: 4040 GB |
| 176 か国で 1 GB。ベルギーと EU の外への旅行にも、プランにそのまま含まれています。利用できる国 | 176 | 含まれない: EUローミングは別料金 | 含まれない: EUローミングは別料金 | 含まれない: EU+ローミングは別料金 | 含まれない: EUローミングは別料金 |
| EU への通話 50 分。ベルギー国内の通話と SMS は無制限。さらにベルギーから EU の番号へ 50 分の通話ができます。EU への通話 | 50 分 | 含まれない: Costs extra | 含まれない: Costs extra | 含まれない: Costs extra | 制限あり、または確認が必要: 記載なし |
| 国際番号への通話は 1 分あたり約 €0.02。ベルギーから国際番号への通話は、どのプランでも 1 分あたり約 €0.02。1 分あたりの平均料金です。正確な料金は通話先によって異なります。国際通話 | ~€0.02 | 含まれる: ~€0.50~€0.50 | 含まれる: ~€1.50~€1.50 | 含まれない: 料金の記載なし | 含まれない: 料金の記載なし |
| いつでもつながる。高速データを使い切っても、その月の残りは 512 kbps でつながり続けます。地図、メッセージ、通話には十分な速度です。データを使い切ったら | 512 kbps | 含まれない: Blocked or paid | 制限あり、または確認が必要: 記載なし | 含まれない: Blocked or paid | 含まれない: Blocked or paid |
| 年間で最大 €198 お得。Proximus、Orange、BASE、Mobile Vikings の同等プランとの比較です。年間料金 | €78 | €239.88 | €276 | €126 | €180 |
| 15 GB を選ぶ | |||||
For a light user, the gap is the biggest: the Firsty 15 GB plan for Belgium costs €78 a year, while the subscriptions in the comparison cost between €126 and €276 a year. Firsty also includes data in 176 countries and slows to 512 kbps instead of stopping when your data runs out.
Telecom that works for you
Most Belgian plans are built around one network, one country and extra charges the moment you leave the EU. Firsty starts from how you actually use your phone: no contract, no SIM card to swap, no roaming setting to remember and no surprise bill. Firsty's mobile plans are made for people who live in Belgium. They run on an eSIM, a digital SIM card that you install in minutes, include data in 176 countries and come with international calls from about €0.02 a minute. Want unlimited data? Firsty World, the Belgian plan with unlimited data, costs €25 a month billed yearly. Every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs it, not as charity, but as how the business works. Compare Firsty's Belgian plans and choose yours at Firsty.app.
FAQ
How many mobile networks are there in Belgium?
Belgium has three established mobile networks: Proximus, Orange Belgium and BASE, part of the Telenet group. DIGI is building a fourth network and uses Proximus coverage where its own network is not live yet.
Which network does Mobile Vikings use?
Mobile Vikings uses the Proximus network for 4G and 5G. Proximus has owned Mobile Vikings since 2021, but Mobile Vikings keeps its own prices, terms and customer service.
Which network does Scarlet use?
Scarlet uses the Proximus network and is part of the Proximus group. Scarlet customers get the same coverage as Proximus customers.
What is an MVNO?
An MVNO is a mobile brand without its own network. It rents capacity on the network of Proximus, Orange Belgium or BASE and sells its own plans, prices and service on it.
Which mobile operator should I choose in Belgium?
Choose the network with the best coverage where you live and work, then the brand with the plan that matches your monthly data use and travel. Compare the yearly price, not only the monthly price.
