­ BIPT, Belgium’s telecoms regulator has summarized the timeline for a planned 3G and LTE licence auction.

In 2001 four licences were already put up for auction in the 2.1 GHz band (3G licences). Since then three operators have been granted a 3G licence in Belgium: Belgacom, Mobistar and KPN Group Belgium.

According to the, one or more new 3G licences will be auctioned to acquire the spectrum that corresponds to the 3G licence that was not granted in 2001. On this occasion, a new 3G operator can also acquire spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band.

The regulator will call for applications from the 15th March, with the shortlist announced on the 16th May and the auction taking place on the 6th June 2011.

In a second stage, licences will also be auctioned for the first time in the 2.6 GHz band (4G licences). Currently no operator has a 4G licence in Belgium. The call for applications will go out on the 1st of June, with the shortlist being announced at the end of September. The LTE license auction is expected to take place around the middle of October 2011.

According to ALuc Hindryckx, Chairman of the BIPT Council, the rates of mobile Internet in Belgium rank among the highest in Europe. The entry of a fourth mobile operator will bring a new dynamism to the market, innovation will be stimulated and rates will be more accessible to consumers.