BASE to offer its customers 5G from April 18

In December 2021, Telenet announced the launch of its 5G network for a series of tariff plans (Telenet to launch 5G in first regions around Leuven, Antwerp and the coast). Now it’s up to BASE, which has the same network, to take the plunge. As from 18 April, BASE’s postpaid customers will also be able to use this new technology, at no additional cost to them.

BASE allows its customers to access the service by an opt-in system, which means that the operator lets them choose whether or not to use this technology where it is available.

Initially, this will apply to all customers (residential and SOHO) who have a subscription that is currently on sale[1]. The other postpaid customers and customers with a prepaid card will also have access later.

5G will offer mobile surfers a better network experience with a more stable Internet connection and lower latency, with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps (and upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps).

My BASE app as access key

Subscribers with a 5G compatible smartphone simply have to open their My BASE application to activate 5G with just a few taps. Once that is done, the smartphone will automatically switch to 5G, with no other action being required.

The My BASE application checks whether the smartphone is compatible with the new technology. This is the case for about 16% of BASE customers. 5G compatible smartphones are becoming increasingly popular: in March 2022, they already represented almost half of the phones sold at the BASE shops.

Progressively wider coverage

Since the launch by Telenet at the beginning of December 2021, 5G coverage of the Telenet/BASE network was initially limited to Antwerp, Leuven and the Belgian coast, and is being progressively rolled out to other large cities of the country.

Currently based on the provisional spectrum license granted by the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) and on 4G spectrum, the rollout of 5G will be accelerated once the actual 5G licenses have been granted. The license auction for the 5G spectrum is scheduled for next June.

In Brussels and Wallonia, Telenet/BASE has begun the necessary preparations to accommodate the 5G technology, but the actual rollout will depend on how the electromagnetic radiation standards evolve.

Gérald Demortier, Vice-President of BASE (BASE Brand Manager at Telenet): “We at BASE believe it is important to let each person take his own time; for that reason we still let the customer choose whether or not to have access to 5G. The more adventurous customers may get the benefit right away if they live in or are simply passing through a zone that is already covered by the new technology. If customers prefer to wait because they feel they do not need it yet or prefer to use it once the network coverage seems wide enough to them, no problem! They may simply continue to surf on the 4G network, as we will continue to invest in it so that they can have the best possible mobile network.”

Also offered by Telenet

It should be remembered that Telenet already introduced 5G last December for the ONE, ONEup, KLIK and KING & KONG business subscriptions. Starting on 23 April next, 5G will be included automatically and at no additional cost in Telenet’s old tariff plans (WIGO, King & Kong, and Telenet Mobile).

As of 13 March, Telenet Business also offers 5G to its business customers (companies, hospitals, governments, schools, etc.).

All information about 5G at BASE will be available on www.base.be from April 18.

[1] This applies to the following subscriptions: BASE 15, BASE 20, BASE 29, BASE 40, BASE Internet Anywhere, BASE PRO Start, BASE PRO Contact, BASE PRO Connect, BASE PRO Unlimited, BASE PRO Europe, BASE PRO World, and BASE Pro Internet Anywhere.