Best ISP in Belgium for 2026

Top ISPs in Belgium at a glance

ISP breakdown

1. Proximus

Proximus is Belgium's national incumbent telecom and largest ISP, operating the country's copper and growing fiber infrastructure. Historically reliant on VDSL2 (branded as Fiber in some Proximus marketing, which caused consumer confusion), Proximus has been deploying genuine FTTH since 2021 in a major multi-year rollout targeting all Belgian households. FTTH plans go up to 1 Gbps. Until FTTH reaches a given street, customers receive VDSL2 which delivers 40–150 Mbps depending on line length. Proximus's national reach covers all regions — Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia — making it the only ISP available everywhere in Belgium. Bundle offers include TV (Proximus TV) and mobile.

2. Telenet

Telenet is the dominant cable broadband provider in Flanders and Brussels. Its HFC cable network covers the vast majority of Flemish households and delivers strong download speeds — up to 1 Gbps on top plans. Telenet also operates a mobile network. In Flanders, Telenet is often the fastest available option, particularly in areas where Proximus FTTH has not yet arrived. Telenet's cable is asymmetric (download much faster than upload), which is a consideration for remote workers. Telenet also offers TV services (Telenet TV) and is a popular all-in-one provider in Flanders. Telenet and Liberty Global have a commercial relationship that has influenced its network evolution.

3. VOO

VOO (formerly Tecteo) is the dominant cable operator in Wallonia (French-speaking Belgium) and is the Wallonian counterpart to Telenet in Flanders. VOO's HFC cable network covers most of Wallonia and parts of Brussels. Plans go up to 1 Gbps download. VOO also offers TV services. Like Telenet, VOO's cable is asymmetric. VOO has been investing in network upgrades to increase speeds and reduce congestion in dense urban areas of Wallonia including Liège, Charleroi, and Namur. For most Wallonian households, VOO and Proximus are the two main broadband choices.

4. Orange Belgium

Orange Belgium is primarily a mobile operator but offers fixed broadband through resale agreements. Its fixed broadband product uses Proximus's infrastructure and competes on pricing and mobile bundle value for existing Orange mobile customers. Orange is a smaller player in Belgian fixed broadband than Proximus, Telenet, or VOO, but its mobile convergence bundles can offer good overall value for households already using Orange mobile.

5. Scarlet

Scarlet is a budget ISP that is actually a subsidiary of Proximus, offering Proximus's underlying network infrastructure at lower prices with fewer extras. Scarlet targets price-sensitive customers who want basic broadband without a full TV or mobile bundle. It uses the same physical network as Proximus, so speeds and reliability are equivalent. For households who don't need premium customer service or bundled TV, Scarlet can offer meaningful savings over full Proximus pricing.

How to choose the best ISP in Belgium

1. Telenet in Flanders, VOO in Wallonia for fastest cable now — if Proximus FTTH hasn't yet reached your street, the regional cable operator (Telenet in Flanders, VOO in Wallonia) typically offers the fastest available speeds at competitive prices.
2. Wait for Proximus FTTH if it's coming soon — Proximus publishes its FTTH rollout schedule. If fiber is coming to your street within 6–12 months, waiting for FTTH gives you symmetric gigabit speeds that cable cannot match on upload.
3. Scarlet for budget broadband — Scarlet provides the same Proximus network at lower cost. If you don't need TV bundles and want to minimize monthly spend, Scarlet is the most straightforward budget option.
4. Brussels has all options — in the Brussels Capital Region, Proximus, Telenet, and VOO all operate, giving you more competitive choice than in the regions where each cable operator has a de facto monopoly.

Internet speeds in Belgium

Belgium has above-average broadband speeds by EU standards, driven by strong cable infrastructure from Telenet and VOO alongside Proximus's FTTH rollout. Ookla Speedtest data in early 2026 shows Belgium's median fixed download speed at approximately 180–210 Mbps. Brussels and major Flemish cities like Ghent and Antwerp record the highest median speeds. Upload performance is the main weakness — Belgium's cable-dominant market means many households have asymmetric connections with upload speeds of 10–50 Mbps even on fast download plans. Proximus's FTTH rollout is progressively addressing this with symmetric fiber plans, but the majority of Belgian homes remain on cable or VDSL as of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Proximus broadband called "fiber" when I have a copper cable to my house?

Proximus has used the term "fiber" in its marketing for both its genuine FTTH (fiber all the way to the home) and its older VDSL2 service, where fiber runs to a street cabinet and the final connection to your home is via the copper telephone line. This has caused widespread confusion among Belgian consumers. True FTTH means a fiber optical cable enters your building; you will have an ONT (optical network terminal) device rather than a standard DSL modem. If you have a DSL modem or VDSL router, you are on copper, not fiber. Proximus's genuine FTTH rollout has been expanding since 2021 and you can check whether real FTTH is available at your address via the Proximus website address checker.

Can I get broadband in Belgium without a TV or phone bundle?

Yes — standalone broadband without TV or fixed phone is available from Proximus, Telenet, VOO, and Scarlet. Bundle pricing typically makes combined packages cheaper per component, but standalone internet is available if you only need broadband. Scarlet is specifically designed for customers who want straightforward broadband without bundle complexity. Orange Belgium also offers standalone internet plans. If you want to avoid long-term contracts, check for month-to-month options — most Belgian ISPs offer 12 or 24-month contracts with discounts, but no-contract options are available at a premium.