According to an analysis by BIPT, 5G NSA networks are growing rapidly. The next step is 5G Standalone.
The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) monitors the evolution of mobile networks through various measurement campaigns. The focus is on both theoretical coverage and the actual user experience. According to the latest publications, 5G NSA (non-standalone) networks are growing rapidly in Belgium.
Rapid growth of 5G NSA coverage in Belgium
BIPT’s mobile atlas shows strong progress in the rollout of 5G NSA networks. Telenet increased its coverage for “very good” indoor 5G signal strength from 18% to 90% in just over two years. Orange has climbed to nearly 32%, narrowly overtaking Proximus. For outdoor coverage, the three operators are approaching near-total coverage, with Telenet and Proximus at 100% and Orange at 99.9%.
These figures are based on operator data and BIPT samples, using optimal conditions as a starting point. Digi has not yet been included in the 5G atlas, as it primarily relies on another operator’s 4G network. Digi is the newcomer to the telecom market and recently reported a revenue of nearly five million euros in 2025.
Current 5G implementations are of the Non-Standalone type, where 5G antennas are combined with existing 4G infrastructure. The next step, 5G Standalone, is expected to further roll out the functional benefits of 5G, such as higher reliability and capacity, for sectors including healthcare, smart cities, and automated transport.