The Base brand has been present for over 25 years in mobile. We have our own network, which was bought by Telenet in 2015. After this takeover, integration began. Very quickly, it was estimated that a mobile offer alone was no longer sufficient: customers asked for more, a complete solution. We tried to buy Voo to be able to offer a fixed offer on a national scale, but it was ultimately Orange that acquired it. Therefore, we turned to other solutions, including an agreement with Orange to use their network. This project has therefore experienced ups and downs, but the objective has always been to expand the offer.
Telecoms: Belgians need better prices than more data
Do you have any figures to share on the number of customers?
I cannot give specific figures because the group does not wish to disclose them. But I can say that we are above our goals. At the end of the year, we will have a solid base of Internet and TV customers that can be compared to a well -filled king Baudouin stadium (smile).
Are it mainly mobile customers who extended their offer?
Yes, about one in two customers was already a mobile client. The other half has subscribed to a fixed offer without being a mobile customer. It is better than what we hoped, we initially thought of an 80/20 ratio. This 50/50 shows the strength of the brand.
Did the launch of this offer also aim to anticipate the arrival of the fourth operator, Digi?
Not directly. It was a plan that we even had before confirmation of the arrival of Digi. But once we had an idea of the calendar, we accelerated to be ready in June. Digi has an aggressive offer, but we are not aiming for the same customers. Base on value for money, with a service, a very well rated app (4.7), store advisers, etc. We do not want to enter a price war, because the necessary investments – in mobile and fixed – are enormous. To maintain quality, you need a stable average price, around 15 to 17 euros for a subscription.
In Belgium, it is often heard that prices are higher than in France. Is it a myth?
Yes, partially. In France, there was a price war over 10 years ago, but the services are affected: no 5G everywhere, poorly covered areas, … In Belgium, we invest throughout the territory, including less profitable areas. This requires means and therefore a realistic average price.
Digi puts a new product on the market and further decreases its prices, “high quality telecoms services must be accessible to everyone”
What is the progress of the deployment of 5G and fiber?
We have a 5G coverage of 98 %, except in Brussels where the permits are slower to obtain, but we catch up. In addition, 5G is included by default in all our subscriptions. For fiber, we work with two networks: Wire (Telenet + Fluvius) in Flanders and Brussels, and also via our contract with Orange. The projects are massive, over 10 years. Today, customer demand for fiber is not huge, our connectivity is adequate, but we follow this evolution closely.
Are the famous trio packs still topical at Base?
We want to differentiate ourselves from classic “bundles”. Our target is “Value for Money” customers: around 40 % of the Belgian market. These are customers who want quality at the right price, who like to combine, personalize, and control their expenses. If they only need the Internet, they will only take the Internet. They are the ones we are aiming for. Our offers are designed for this “resource generation”. In the future, we could add value -added services, but no new traditional packs planned.
Since the arrival of Digi, the operators’ reaction has mainly been to increase the data volume of their subscriptions. But is it still useful to increase data volumes?
Yes, because consumption increases by 30 % per year. The smartphone has become the first screen, in front of television, and data is essential. Maybe we will one day arrive at a limitless world, but we are not there yet.
