Belgian regulator proposes 50% reduction in mobile termination rates

The Belgian Institute for Post and Telecommunications (BIPT), the country's telecommunications regulator, has revealed that it wants to see mobile network operators halve mobile termination rates (MTRs) with a view to increasing competition in the wireless sector and reducing the cost of calls to consumers. The watchdog has recommended a 50% cut in MTRs, far steeper than the 20% reduction that had been expected by the Belgian cellcos, and it is now widely expected that all three - Proximus (Belgacom Mobile), Mobistar and BASE - will appeal the decision.