My internet is slower than promised: what can I do in Belgium?
Your contract must state the minimum, normally available and maximum speed of fixed internet. You should get the normally available speed at least 95% of the time; the speed may never drop below the minimum, except during an outage.
Your contract states the speeds your provider promises. If the real speed falls clearly and repeatedly below them, you may be able to pay less or end the contract. A measurement with the official tool, where there is one, is the strongest proof.
📜 The rules in Belgium
What you can do
With a continuous or regularly recurring significant gap, the operator must act first; if that fails you are entitled to contractual remedies such as compensation and/or ending the contract. Next the free Ombudsdienst, then the court.
The details
- To prove a slow line, the BIPT points to speed tests from operators and third parties. Always use the same test, connect a laptop to the modem by cable, measure several days between 19:00 and 21:00 and keep screenshots. (bipt.be)
- Mobile internet: the BIPT's Mobiele Atlas shows signal strength per technology and network, but it gives a general picture and does not guarantee your own experience. Measure several times a day over a longer period. (bipt.be)
- Net neutrality: your provider must treat all internet traffic equally and may not slow down specific apps or sites. Only reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory traffic management needed for the network is allowed. (bipt.be)
Ombudsdienst voor telecommunicatie
Free mediation when your operator gave you no solution or no satisfying answer. Written complaints only; you can phone for advice.
Belgisch Instituut voor postdiensten en telecommunicatie (BIPT)
Telecom regulator: explains your rights and runs the official tariff comparator Bestetarief.be. Sends disputes with your operator to the Ombudsdienst.
🪜 Step by step
- Find the promised speedsYour contract summary lists the speeds, often as a maximum, a normally available and a minimum speed.
- Measure properlyUse a cable instead of Wi‑Fi, close other devices and measure several times on different days, with the official tool if there is one.
- Report it to the providerSend the results, ask for the problem to be fixed and keep a copy of everything you send and receive.
- Use your rightsIf nothing improves, ask for a lower price or to end the contract, and go to the dispute body if the provider refuses.
📇 Who to contact
Sponsor this page → One labelled block, €100 a month. Founding price €75 until 31 January 2027.
❓ Questions
Does a quick speed test in an app count?
It helps you spot a problem. As proof, a measurement made the way the regulator or your contract describes carries much more weight.
Does this apply to mobile internet too?
Mobile speeds change with place and network load, and the rules for mobile are often different. See the rules for Belgium on this page.
Is slow Wi‑Fi the provider’s fault?
Not always. Walls, distance and old devices slow Wi‑Fi down. Measure with a cable first.
📎 Sources
- bipt.be →
- bipt.be →
- bipt.be →
- bipt.be →
- ombudsmantelecom.be →
- bipt.be →
- bipt.be →
- ombudsmantelecom.be →
- bipt.be →
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