Belgian phone country code is +32. Brussels area code is 02, which also has to be used for local calls within Brussels. Leave out the 0 if calling internationally: +32-2-xxxxxxx.
Advisable for expats are telecom packages that may include any of the following elements:
- Internet (and Wi-Fi in the house)
- Landline telephone (if required)
- (Cable) TV
- Mobile phone subscription (French: GSM – Global System for Mobile Communications)
Former state monopolist Proximus (formerly Belgacom) is the largest national telecoms provider with a wide range of services – not always best and rarely cheapest. If you go to a shop, non-Belgians need to bring passport/ID, first page of rental contract with addresses, names, etc, work contract, … and patience…
Proximus also installs fibre connectivity, even if used by one of the other providers. Since fibre connectivity is available in our neighbourhood, that’s the only service you’ll be offered.
Other providers include (last time we looked):
- Orange – similar quality and services as Proximus
- Edpnet – allow and subsidize the use of powerful FritzBox smart home router ***
- Scarlet ***
- Telenet
- Voo
- Base
- Digi
- Mega
- Mobile Vikings
*** possibly best value for money, but no customer shops: all online or at resellers. Both have been bought up by Proximus but offer different services & prices. Belgian consumers’ association Test-Achats have a service for price comparison: https://www.test-achats.be/hightech/telecom/simulateur