5G rollout cost: Blow to telecom companies as Belgian regulator sides with Google, Microsoft and other tech companies

Belgium’s telecoms regulator IBPT-BIPT has bad news for telecom operators in the country. IBPT-BIPT has ruled in favour of technology companies. There is no clear need to make technological giants help to pay for 5G and broadband rollout, Belgium’s telecoms regulator IBPT-BIPT said.

Europe’s telecoms operators have tried to push for major companies, such as Google and Microsoft, to help bear the cost of 5G technology, but that would probably require waiting for the next European Commission, following European Parliament elections next year, to decide on any rules.

Telecom operators, including Deutsche Telekom, have called for what they describe as “fair share funding,” which the Big Tech companies have said would amount to an internet tax.