Telecoms regulator the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) has granted B2B wireless connectivity provider Citymesh permission to transfer its user rights in the 2600MHz band to Citymesh Mobile, its joint venture with Romanian-backed Digi Communications. The decision follows a request submitted in August last year which indicated the spectrum – 2520MHz-2535MHz/2640MHz-2655MHz, valid until 30 September 2035 – would be used to deploy nationwide 4G services. Citymesh is required to give the BIPT at least ten days’ notice of the transfer of ownership.

Citymesh Mobile exercised an option in March 2022 to secure the spectrum package reserved for a fourth mobile network operator in Belgium’s 5G spectrum auction staged last summer, and went on to acquire frequencies in the 700MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 3600MHz bands, paying a total of EUR114.3 million (USD123.4 million). Citymesh – part of European IT services group Cegeka – holds a 51% stake in the new entrant and Digi Communications subsidiary RCS&RDS 49%.