Our history
Proximus boasts an impressive history of achievements which has shaped us into the leading digital telecommunication company in Belgium:
2023
- Excellent commercial performance:
- + 156,000 mobile postpaid net adds
- + 51,000 Internet customers
- + 65,000 convergent customers
- + 145,000 fiber customers
- 29% homes and businesses in Belgium connectable to fiber* (* Overall, also including the full contribution of our joint ventures, 34% of homes and businesses are covered with “Fiber in the street“ (end 12/2023)
- Fiber Multigig technology deployed throughout Belgium
- 5G coverage reached 40%
- Proximus NXT, Proximus’ new ICT umbrella brand for the Benelux region
- New joint venture Clarence offers Europe’s first disconnected sovereign cloud solution
- Wholesale agreement signed with Digi Communications Belgium
- Adoption of Generative AI into our operations
- 128,002 mobile phones collected for recycling
- 799,432 fixed devices refurbished
- A-listing award CDP for climate change and supplier engagement
- 6,000 employees relocated to new buildings in Brussels (Campus project).
- 77% employee engagement
- BICS launches its 5G Standalone Roaming Hub
- Telesign launches its Continuous Trust Authority-initiative
- Definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Route Mobile. (The agreement remains conditional upon fulfilling the stipulated conditions, including obtaining regulatory and anti-trust approvals and completing the MTO (mandatory takeover offer)).
2022
- +1.28 million homes and businesses connected to fiber
- Acquisition of the largest spectrum share for the next 20 years
- New healthcare actors joining the local ecosystem Doktr
- Partnership with Odoo to help SMEs in their digitalization
- Launch of 10 Gbps fiber technology
- Mobile Vikings launched its "internet at home” offer
- 73% employee engagement
- Solidarity for Ukraine through various initiatives
- Partnership with Microsoft to develop sovereign cloud solutions
- Set-up of three 5G labs to co-create 5G use cases for enterprises
- Full rollout of our agile operating model
- First large Belgian company and third telco worldwide to acquire the SBTi validation for its greenhouse gas emissions net-zero targets
- Launch of Proximus Ada center of excellence for artificial intelligence and cybersecurity
- 121,042 mobile phones collected for recycling
- Strategic partnership between BICS and Qatari telecom company Ooredoo Group
- Telesign opens a new data center in Brussels, offering European customers the option to keep their data within the European Economic Area
- Proximus continues to take the lead in DigitAll, the Belgian ecosystem for digital inclusion
2021
Proximus
- We provided COVID vaccination centers with connectivity, IT support, as well as advanced IoT solutions to monitor the temperature of the vaccines.
- After the devasting floods in Wallonia we restored our network infrastructure as rapidly as possible.
- The Digital Inclusion Charter was signed by the members of DigitAll, the Belgian ecosystem for digital inclusion.
- Two joint ventures were launched to accelerate our fiber roll-out.
- Launch of the 5G innovation platform for businesses to test their 5G solutions.
- With more than 3 million connected objects in our network we strengthened our position as market leader in Internet of Things
- Acquisition of Mobile Vikings, reinforcing Proximus’ multi-brand strategy in the residential market.
- Banx, the digital app for sustainable banking, entered the Belgian market.
- Innovation in the field of eHealth with the teleconsultation app Doktr.
- Launch of the platform aug•e offering solutions in the field of smart buildings with partners BESIX and i.Leco.
- Successful issuing of first € 750 million Green Bond.
- Acquisition of full ownership of BICS, securing the flexibility to execute the development and growth path of BICS and Telesign.
- Progressing towards an agile operating model and embracing the hybrid way of working.
- New members of the Executive Committee: Antonietta Mastroianni, Chief Digital & IT Officer and Mark Reid, Chief Financial Officer.
- The exhibition "Art with a View: 25 years Proximus Art Collection".
BICS
- Secured partnerships with key digital players such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, adding to those already in place with Amazon Web Services and other Tier 1 digital disruptors in the APAC region.
- Launch of voice APIs, an important step in the provision of communications as service, enabling enterprises with secure and flexible software-based communications.
- World’s 1st 5G Standalone roaming trial with Proximus successfully concluded, showing roaming interoperability between different 5G providers.
- Recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed IoT Connectivity Services Worldwide.
- Investments in 5G and private mobile network connectivity enablement through its SIM for Things solution allowing companies to easily deploy and manage connected applications for IoT transformation.
Telesign
- Telesign announced its intent to go public at an Enterprise Value of $1.3 Billion via a business combination with North Atlantic Acquisition Corporation.
- Launch of Messaging API which allows for multiple messaging channels to be consumed by our customers with only one API integration.
- WhatsApp for Business and Viber messaging support added to Messaging API.
- Launch of an updated anti-fraud model of the Score product increasing accuracy of flagging fraud while reducing false positives.
- New executive leadership team and experienced regional leads in EMEA and APAC to fuel future growth and geo expansion.
2020
- July
- Proximus signs an agreement with Eurofiber and DELTA Fiber aiming at establishing a partnership to further enlarge and accelerate its fiber roll-out in Belgium.
- Proximus affiliates Codit and Unbrace merge to offer full-service IT solutions for front- and back-end.
- June
- Proximus launches "Flex", a new range of packs that can be customized to the needs of each member of the family.
- Belfius and Proximus sign an unprecedented strategic partnership based on long-term commercial cooperation.
- February: Proximus and Port of Antwerp sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the project "The Digital Schelde" to prepare the port's digital transformation by developing a private 5G network.
- January: Proximus challenges Belgium to collect 100,000 old mobile phones in 2020.
2019
- Creation of Proximus Luxembourg SA in January, bringing together the Tango and Telindus brands.
- Launch of Proximus’ #shifttodigital strategy to accelerate its transformation, to remain relevant in the Belgian market, and to secure the company’s future.
- Fiber roll-out in Aalst and Vilvoorde.
- Launch of "Epic combo", a pack tailored to millennials.
- Proximus becomes one of the first operators in the world to put Nokia's powerful multi-terabit router into service, for a tenfold increase in capacity.
- Proximus’ smart mobility affiliate Be-Mobile launches the Flux app, for smoother and safer freight traffic.
- The milestone of 1 million active users on the MyProximus app is reached in May.
- New international rates and launch of a new offer for the self-employed and small businesses.
- Launch of the new brand promise "Think possible", which highlights everything we can do and experience thanks to recent technologies.
- Proximus and Orange Belgium join forces to develop the mobile access network of the future.
- In November Guillaume Boutin is appointed as CEO of the Proximus Group.
- Launch of My e-Press, the digital press offer of Le Soir+ and HLN Digitaal.
- In December Proximus launches "Fiber for Kortrijk".
2018
- Participation in a €3-million funding round in the start-up Tessares.
- Proximus reinforces its position in the growing Benelux Managed Security Market by acquiring the Dutch-based company ION-IP.
- The city of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve and Proximus step up efforts to create a Smart City.
- Commercial Fiber-to-the-Business wholesale deal with telecom operator Destiny.
- First successful 5G outdoor trial in Belgium with Huawei.
- Launch of NB-IoT network for the connection of digital gas and electricity meters for Fluvius.
- Acquisition of Umbrio to strengthen Proximus’ position in the growing IT and network operations and analytics market.
- Launch of "Epic stories” and “Epic beats” – new mobile offers for millennials.
- Acquisition of Codit to boost Proximus’ ambitions in the fast-growing market of Integration of People, Things and Applications.
- Partnership with Besix Group to co-develop Smart Buildings solutions.
- Proximus increases tenfold the capacity of its transport network – the backbone of voice, data and TV services.
- Proximus and IPARC partner up for more efficient conservation of art works, thanks to the SmartCare application.
- Launch of revamped mobile offer with unlimited calls, texts and mobile data.
- Proximus chooses SILK as a partner to build a unique communication and media ecosystem.
2017
- Fiber roll-out in 7 cities.
- Proximus is the first to launch 4.5G in Belgium.
- Proximus and Vodafone extend their partnership agreement for Belgium and Luxembourg.
- Proximus acquires Davinsi Labs, thereby strengthening its position on the growing cyber security market.
- Belgian professional football is covered in its entirety on Proximus TV until 2020.
- The "Access Bonding" solution of Tessares and Proximus offers faster Internet in rural and sparsely populated areas.
- From 12 June, Proximus customers can surf, call and text within the European Union like they do at home, without any extra cost.
- Proximus participates in Co.Station, thus boosting the digital ecosystem in Belgium.
- Proximus extends its storage and distribution agreement with H. Essers until 2026.
- Launch of the new MyProximus app.
- Proximus acquires Unbrace, an application development company.
- BICS completes the acquisition of Telesign, a "Communication Platform as a Service" company based in the US.
- Coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League continues exclusively on Proximus TV until 2021.
- Exclusive deal with Studio 100.
- On 29 December, Proximus retires the telegram, after more than 150 years of good, reliable service.
2016
- In April 2016, Proximus creates a unique Smart Mobility company called Be-Mobile.
- Proximus reinvents its commercial offer with the launch of the new all-in products Tuttimus for residential customers and Bizz All-in for small business customers.
- Proximus also invests in Citie, a Smart Retail platform to support the local economy and bring traders, shoppers and local authorities closer together.
- In December 2016, Proximus announces Fiber for Belgium, an investment plan of €3 billion over the next 10 years, to bring people & business at the speed of light.
- On mobile, Proximus also launches HD voice calls on 3G and 4G and successfully tests the next generation mobile networks: 4.5G and 5G.
2015
- In April 2015, at the Annual Shareholder meeting, the shareholders of the company voted in favour of changing the company name from Belgacom to Proximus. This change has been effective as of 22 June.
- Next to Proximus PLC under Belgian Public Law, the Proximus Group encompasses the affiliates Scarlet, Tango, BICS and Telindus International.
2014
- Belgacom launches Personal Cloud which allows customers to store their documents securely, with access to all their content via PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone or Proximus TV, and sharing options with family, friends and social media.
- Belgacom launches TV Replay, which allows customers to go back up to 36h on most watched linear TV channels.
- Thanks to new partnerships such as Apple, and exclusive deals like for some Samsung devices, our customers have the possibility to choose the latest mobile device from a wide variety of brands.
- Thanks to our partnership with Netflix, our customers can watch Netflix directly via Proximus TV.
- We pioneered innovative 4G technology in Belgium, starting the roll-out at the Belgian coast and the main cities including Brussels.
- Since September 2014, all fixed and mobile voice, internet, digital television and ICT services, are commercialized under one unique brand: Proximus .
2013
- Proximus launches new attractive mobile pricing plans on the basis of the customer's type of phone: Smart for customers with a smartphone, and Easy for customers with a traditional mobile phone.
- Belgacom acquires highly valuable spectrum for the 800 MHz frequency band to further develop 4G leadership.
- Belgacom launches Home&Care, security solutions allowing customers to remotely monitor their home through smartphone or tablet.
- Scarlet launches TRIO, combining fix telephone, broadband internet and tv in a triple-play solution
2012
- Proximus launches the first 4G-network in Belgium and Tango in Luxembourg.
- Belgacom reinvents its internet by launching Internet Everywhere, an integrated solution for at home and on the go.
- The Belgacom Group acquires the chain of stores The Phone House.
2011
- Belgacom launches TV Everywhere allowing customers to watch Belgacom TV on any device (tv, pc, tablet, smartphone) via Wi-Fi and 3G.
- Belgacom signs an exclusive partnership with Deezer, enhancing its content offer with music streaming. BICS signs a roaming hub-contract with MTN Group, the largest mobile operator of Africa and the Middle East.
- Telindus launches the brand Telindus Telecom with connectivity and datacenter offers for the corporate and professional market.
2010
- Belgacom Group completes the full integration of its subsidiaries Belgacom Mobile SA/Proximus, Telindus NV, Telindus Sourcing SA, the activities of Belgacom Skynet SA and the Belgian activities of Telindus Group NV into Belgacom SA to form one legal entity. The other subsidiaries remain separate legal entities.
- Belgacom signs partnerships with Jinni, In3Depth, Blinkx and OnLive to further enhance its Belgacom TV entertainment platform.
- Belgacom signs a partnership with FON, the largest Wi-Fi community in the world.
2009
- Belgacom launches PingPing, a brand keen to be the symbol of mobile payments.
2008
- Belgacom launches the VDSL2 network which gives everyone access to unequalled Internet speeds.
- Belgacom acquires Scarlet NV, enabling it to penetrate the low-cost market segment.
- Belgacom acquires Mobile-for, a company which specializes in mobile payments for parking.
- Belgacom acquires Tango from Tele2, the leading alternative operator active in Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.
2007
- Belgacom launches its first bundled offers combining fixed/mobile telephony, ADSL and television.
2006
- Belgacom acquires Telindus and strengthens its ICT offer and network integration services for the corporate and professional markets.
- Belgacom acquires the remaining 25% stake in Proximus from Vodafone, enabling a full quadruple play offering.
2005
- Belgacom and Swisscom Fixnet sign an agreement to merge their international carrier activities and thus consolidating their position on the international market.
- Belgacom TV is launched on the Belgian market and Belgacom acquires the broadcasting rights to Belgian football for the next three seasons.
- Proximus becomes the first mobile telephony operator in Belgium to offer 3G services to the general public.
2004
- Belgacom makes its stock market entry. This is one of the most important operations within the European telecom sector since the entry of Orange in February 2001.
- Belgacom TV is tested in a few hundred homes.
2003
- Belgacom's new logo is born.
2002
- Proximus is Belgium's first mobile operator offering its customers Internet access via GPRS.
2001
- BICS launches its mobile offer.
2000
- BICS opens offices in Asia Pacific, America and the Middle East.
1998
- The telecom market is fully liberalized on January 1st. Belgacom takes over Skynet, the first internet access provider in the Belgium and one of the largest web portals in the country.
- Its Internet activities are integrated into the Belgacom brand which launches ADSL on the Belgian market.
1997
- Creation of carrier & wholesale unit at Belgacom. Belgacom International Carrier Services (BICS) is born.
1996
- The Belgian government sells 50% minus 1 share of Belgacom to the ADSB Telecommunications consortium. This consortium is composed of Ameritech (SBC), Tele Danmark and Singapore Telecom, plus 3 Belgian financial institutions: Sofina, Dexia and KBC.
1994
- Belgacom PLC becomes a company limited by shares under public law.
- Belgacom launches the Proximus mobile network which is soon after entrusted to a subsidiary, Belgacom Mobile. Belgacom remains 75% shareholder.
1992
- The RTT is replaced by Belgacom PLC, an autonomous public-sector company.
1930
- The RTT, Belgium's national telegraph and telephone company, is born and brings the telephone into the homes of a constantly growing portion of the Belgian population.