On 15 October 2025, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) started a market test to gauge stakeholder views on proposed commitments offered by joint venture (JV) partners Proximus, Fiberklaar, Telenet, and Wyre to secure the approval of both the BCA and the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) for their agreement on the rolling out of fibre telecommunications networks in Flanders. The BCA and the BIPT had opened their investigation in July 2024 (see, VBB Belgian Antitrust Watch of 30 July 2024).

Pursuant to the JV terms, the parties would build complementary Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks and organise reciprocal wholesale access for their partners in medium density population areas (which cover 2 million homes). In sparsely populated areas (which concern 0.7 million homes), Proximus would offer services via the Hybrid Fiber Coax network of Wyre. Elsewhere (in large cities and densely populated zones) network competition would play out to the fullest extent and both groups would roll out their own separate infrastructure.

In their inquiry, the regulators focused on the reduction of infrastructure competition between the network operators and on the possible negative effects on competition between telecommunications service providers. In response, the parties offered several sets of commitments which are now made subject to the market test until 21 November 2025. Some of the commitments will bind all of the involved parties, while others will only apply to either Proximus or the Telenet – Wyre duo. Broadly, the commitments are designed to (i) accelerate the deployment of fiber networks in medium-density areas of Flanders; (ii) extend the coverage of these networks; and (iii) cause Proximus/Fiberklaar and Telenet/Wyre to grant long-term access to all their networks on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

Separately, the BCA and the BIPT are also reviewing a JV between Orange and Proximus for the roll-out of fiber networks in Wallonia (see, VBB Belgian Antitrust Watch of 1 August 2025).