Keeping in Touch in Belgium

Keeping in touch in Belgium is easy, thanks to the country's modern, efficient, and reliable telecommunications system. Mobile coverage is comprehensive, and cafés and bars often offer free WiFi. The internet is speedy and well priced.

Telecommunications in Belgium

You can learn about different service providers in Belgium on Meilleur Tarif. This website is run by the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Communications (BIPT) and is available in English, French, Dutch, and German. It calculates the best service according to the customer's needs and wants. Most listed companies can offer combination packages that include telephone, mobile, and internet services.

Useful links

• Meilleur Tarif

Mobile phones in Belgium

There's a wide range of mobile phone networks to choose from in Belgium, with the most prominent being BASE/Telenet, Proximus and Orange.

Once you have the required documentation, you can choose a prepaid or contract service. Most expats opt for the post-paid option. Prepaid plans may look cheaper initially, but going beyond the allowed minutes may prove far more costly overall, so it's best to choose carefully, keeping your needs and typical usage in mind.

Some Belgians refer to mobile phones as "GSM". Stores selling mobile phones are easily found in most towns and have websites displaying their stock and services.

Internet in Belgium

Most households in Belgium are equipped with high-speed broadband. To take out a contract, most of which are binding for a minimum of twelve months, you'll need to provide identification, proof of address, and banking details.

Plans vary, so it's worth researching the top providers and their offerings. Many internet providers in Belgium offer complete triple-play services, including television, internet, and telephone.

Bandwidth in Belgium is relatively fast, but some internet providers have bandwidth caps in place to limit the amount of data transferred. 

Postal services in Belgium

Mail is delivered Monday through Friday in Belgium. If the recipient of a package is not home at the time of delivery, the postal carrier will put a notice in their mailbox. A legitimate form of identification is needed to collect a package.

The Belgian post office is officially called Bpost. Supermarkets such as Carrefour and Delhaize often have postage points where customers can buy stamps and send packages, though international deliveries may not be available. To send a package to another country, it's best to go to a post office.