BASE
BASE is a Belgian telecommunications brand offering mobile communications, broadband internet, and television services as part of Telenet Group.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
BASE is a Belgian telecommunications operator and consumer brand serving the national market with mobile telephony, internet access, and television services. The business began in 1999 as Belgium's third major mobile network operator under the name KPN Orange, a joint venture between Dutch telecommunications company KPN Mobile and the then British telecommunications group Orange. It adopted the BASE name in 2002 after ownership changes associated with France Télécom's acquisition of Orange. France Télécom already operated a Belgian mobile business, Mobistar, later renamed Orange Belgium, and therefore could not retain control of two competing Belgian mobile networks. BASE consequently became fully owned by KPN Mobile. The brand expanded beyond mobile communications during the late 2000s. In 2007, its owner acquired Tele2 Belgium, giving the business fixed-line and broadband operations. Those services were subsequently rebranded from Tele2 to BASE in October 2009. BASE also acquired the Belgian telecommunications retail chain Allo Telecom in 2007; Allo Telecom was later merged with BASE in 2014. These steps broadened the brand's distribution and product scope while maintaining mobile connectivity as its core business. In April 2015, Telenet announced an agreement to acquire BASE from KPN for approximately €1.325 billion. The transaction gave Telenet access to a mobile network and complemented its established fixed-line and cable operations. BASE continued as a consumer-facing brand within the Telenet Group, competing in Belgium with Proximus and Orange Belgium. Its mobile network provides 2G, 4G, and 5G services, using multiple radio-frequency bands. Telenet and BASE began progressively deploying 5G in December 2021. Reference material describes indoor 5G coverage reaching approximately 90% of Belgian households by 2023 and outdoor coverage as nearly nationwide; these are coverage claims rather than independently verified financial or market data. In June 2024, after roughly 25 years as a primarily mobile-focused operator, BASE launched broadband internet and IPTV services. The move supported Telenet's effort to expand its full-service telecommunications offering geographically, particularly in Wallonia, where Telenet's direct availability had historically been more limited outside mobile services. To provide nationwide fixed services, BASE uses broadband infrastructure operated through the Wyre network, a joint venture involving Telenet and Fluvius, as well as the VOO network, which Telenet's rival Orange Belgium acquired. BASE therefore combines its own mobile network with wholesale or partner fixed-network access for parts of its converged offering. The brand has also pursued consumer engagement through sports and digital experiences. BASE sponsored Standard Liège from 2005 through 2018. Its My BASE application received an honourable mention in the User Experience Design category of Fast Company's Innovation by Design Awards. The brand remains active in Belgium under Telenet ownership, with a value-oriented positioning built around mobile connectivity and increasingly integrated internet and television services.
History
BASE originated in 1999 as KPN Orange, Belgium's third major mobile network operator. It was established as a joint venture between KPN Mobile of the Netherlands and Orange, then a British telecommunications group. The venture entered a Belgian market already served by established mobile operators and was positioned as an additional national network competitor. The ownership structure changed after France Télécom acquired Orange in 2001. France Télécom already controlled Mobistar in Belgium, a business that was later renamed Orange Belgium, and could not control two competing mobile networks in the same market. The shares in the Belgian KPN Orange operation were therefore sold fully to KPN Mobile. In 2002, the company changed its brand name from Orange to BASE, creating the identity under which it became widely known in Belgium. BASE expanded its scope in 2007. KPN acquired Tele2 Belgium, bringing fixed-line and broadband ADSL activities into the wider business. These services were rebranded from Tele2 to BASE in October 2009. In the same period, BASE also acquired Allo Telecom, a Belgian telecommunications retail-store chain. Allo Telecom operated as a separate retail presence for several years before being merged with BASE in 2014. A major strategic transition came in 2015. Telenet announced that it would acquire BASE from KPN for approximately €1.325 billion. For Telenet, the transaction secured access to a mobile network and complemented its fixed telecommunications and cable activities. BASE subsequently operated as a Telenet subsidiary while retaining its consumer brand. In the Belgian mobile market, it competes principally with Proximus and Orange Belgium. BASE operates a mobile network supporting 2G, 4G, and 5G technologies. Its listed radio access includes GSM at 900 and 1800 MHz, UMTS at 900 and 2100 MHz, and LTE at 800, 1800, and 2600 MHz. BASE and Telenet began a progressive 5G rollout in December 2021. Reference material states that indoor 5G coverage reached about 90% of Belgian households by 2023, while outdoor coverage was described as nearly complete. Belgium's operators subsequently retired 3G networks in July 2025. In June 2024, BASE entered a new phase by launching broadband internet and IPTV services. This ended its long-standing positioning as principally a mobile-only or mobile-led brand and supported Telenet's objective of offering a broader telecommunications proposition throughout Belgium. The fixed services rely on more than one infrastructure platform: the Wyre network, associated with Telenet and Fluvius, and the VOO network. This infrastructure strategy enabled BASE to extend fixed connectivity into regions where Telenet's traditional footprint was less extensive, particularly Wallonia. The brand has maintained visibility through sponsorship and digital product initiatives. It sponsored football club Standard Liège from 2005 to 2018. The My BASE application received an honourable mention in the User Experience Design category of Fast Company's Innovation by Design Awards. In 2026, BASE was described as collaborating with Brussels singer-songwriter Camille Yembe on a programme seeking unknown music talent and helping selected participants create a song and music video. BASE remains an active Belgian telecommunications brand within Telenet Group.
- 2025
Belgian 3G networks are switched off
[1]Reference material states that all Belgian operators, including BASE, switched off their 3G networks by July 2025.
- 2024
BASE Internet and TV launch
[1]BASE launches broadband internet and IPTV services, broadening its offer beyond mobile communications.
- 2021
5G deployment begins
[1]BASE and Telenet begin progressively rolling out 5G on their own network in December.
- 2015
Telenet agrees to acquire BASE
[1]Telenet announces the purchase of BASE from KPN for approximately €1.325 billion.
- 2014
Allo Telecom merges with BASE
[1]The acquired telecommunications retail chain is merged into BASE.
- 2009
Tele2 fixed services are rebranded as BASE
[1]The fixed-line and ADSL operations acquired from Tele2 are placed under the BASE brand.
- 2007
Fixed-line expansion and Allo Telecom acquisition
[1]The business acquires Tele2 Belgium, adding fixed-line and broadband operations, and purchases telecommunications retailer Allo Telecom.
- 2002
The BASE name is introduced
[1]The operator changes its brand name from Orange to BASE.
- 2001
Orange ownership is transferred to KPN Mobile
[1]Following France Télécom's acquisition of Orange and its existing Belgian presence through Mobistar, the Belgian venture's shares are sold fully to KPN Mobile.
- 1999
KPN Orange launches in Belgium
[1]The company begins operations as Belgium's third major mobile network operator under the KPN Orange name.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented Belgian telecommunications brand combining mobile connectivity with broadband internet and television services.
Mobile telecommunications · 1999
BASE mobile services
BASE's core offering consists of mobile voice, messaging, and data connectivity for Belgian consumers. The operator runs a national mobile network supporting 2G, 4G, and 5G technologies and uses radio bands including 900, 1800, 2100, 800, and 2600 MHz. Its mobile business places the brand in direct competition with Proximus and Orange Belgium.
Fixed broadband · 2024
BASE Internet
BASE Internet is the brand's fixed broadband service, launched in 2024 after the operator had spent most of its history focused on mobile communications. The service uses access to Belgian broadband infrastructure associated with Wyre and VOO, allowing BASE to extend its fixed connectivity proposition beyond the traditional Telenet footprint.
IPTV · 2024
BASE TV
BASE TV is the brand's IPTV offering, introduced alongside BASE broadband internet in June 2024. It forms part of Telenet's strategy to use BASE as a broader Belgian telecommunications brand offering mobile, fixed internet, and television services.
Digital customer service
My BASE app
My BASE is the operator's customer-facing mobile application. It supports the digital management of BASE services and received an honourable mention in the User Experience Design category of Fast Company's Innovation by Design Awards.
Marketing campaigns
- 2026Camille Yembe music-talent collaboration
Belgium
BASE collaborated with Brussels-based singer-songwriter Camille Yembe to search for emerging music talent and support the production of a song and music video.
- 2005Standard Liège sponsorship
Belgium
BASE began sponsoring Belgian football club Standard Liège, linking the telecommunications brand with a prominent national sports property.
Outcome. The sponsorship continued through 2018.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch broadband internet and IPTVProduct launchBackground
BASE had operated for approximately 25 years primarily as a mobile-focused brand, while Telenet sought to broaden its geographic and product reach in Belgium.
Action taken
BASE introduced fixed broadband internet and IPTV services using access to Wyre and VOO infrastructure.
Aftermath
The brand moved toward a converged telecommunications proposition combining mobile, broadband, and television services.
2021
Begin 5G rolloutGeneration changeBackground
The Belgian mobile market was transitioning from established 2G, 3G, and 4G networks toward next-generation connectivity.
Action taken
BASE and Telenet began progressively deploying 5G on their own network in December 2021.
Aftermath
The rollout expanded the brand's available mobile technology and was followed by reported broad household and outdoor coverage.
2015
Telenet acquires BASEM&ABackground
Telenet sought access to a mobile network to complement its fixed-line and cable telecommunications businesses.
Action taken
Telenet agreed to buy BASE from KPN for approximately €1.325 billion.
Aftermath
BASE became a Telenet subsidiary and continued operating as a Belgian consumer telecommunications brand.
Acquisition price. €1.325 billion (Announced in April 2015)
2002
Adopt the BASE brandStrategyBackground
After the Belgian operation's ownership was transferred fully to KPN Mobile, the previous KPN Orange identity was no longer retained.
Action taken
The operator changed its brand name from Orange to BASE.
Aftermath
BASE became the continuing consumer identity for the Belgian mobile operator.
Recent events
- 2026
BASE collaborates with Camille Yembe on music talent initiative[1]
Campaign
BASE began a collaboration with Brussels-based singer-songwriter Camille Yembe to identify emerging music talent and support the creation of a song and music video.
- 2024
BASE launches broadband internet and IPTV services[1]
Product launch
BASE expanded beyond its historical mobile focus by introducing broadband internet and IPTV services across Belgium using infrastructure associated with Wyre and VOO.
- 2021
BASE and Telenet continue 5G rollout[1]
Product generation · Product launch
BASE and Telenet began progressively deploying 5G on their own Belgian network in December 2021.
- 2015
Telenet announces acquisition of BASE from KPN[1]
M&A
Telenet announced an agreement to purchase BASE from KPN for approximately €1.325 billion, obtaining a mobile network and adding a mobile operating business to its fixed-line and cable portfolio.
Sources2 sources
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