Proximus Enhances Network with BroadForward Partnership
Brussels, Wednesday, 5 February 2025.
Proximus collaborates with BroadForward and Nomios to replace legacy signaling infrastructure, ensuring future-ready network operations while setting new industry standards in European telecommunications.
Strategic Network Modernization
On February 4, 2025, Proximus, Belgium’s leading mobile network operator, announced a groundbreaking partnership with BroadForward and technology integrator Nomios to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure [1][3][4]. The collaboration focuses on replacing legacy hardware-based Signaling Transfer Points (STPs) with BroadForward’s innovative software-cloud-based STP solution [1]. This strategic upgrade comes as Proximus, which reported an underlying Group revenue of EUR 6,042 million at the end of 2023 [1], continues its mission to build Belgium’s premier gigabit network [3].
Critical Infrastructure Evolution
Despite the ongoing phase-out of 3G networks, industry analysts project that STPs will remain essential components of telecommunications infrastructure for at least two more decades [1][4]. These systems are crucial for maintaining various critical services, including roaming capabilities, messaging services, IoT applications, VoLTE signaling, and emergency services [1]. BroadForward’s solution offers unprecedented flexibility, supporting deployment across multiple environments including bare metal, virtual machines, containers, and cloud platforms [3].
Industry Leadership Perspectives
Laurent Claus, Core & Communication Solutions Division Lead at Proximus, emphasizes that innovation remains central to their strategy, stating, ‘We are future-proofing our network infrastructure by transitioning to BroadForward’s cutting-edge signaling solution’ [3][5]. This sentiment is echoed by Taco Schoute, CEO of BroadForward, who notes that ‘Legacy STPs have served their purpose, but due to their age the inherent limitations in cost and flexibility have become apparent’ [1][5]. The partnership demonstrates Proximus’s commitment to operational excellence, supported by its workforce of 11,654 employees [1].
Future Impact and Market Implications
This modernization initiative positions Proximus at the forefront of telecommunications innovation in the Benelux region, where it operates under various brands including Proximus, Mobile Vikings, Scarlet, and Tango [1][3]. The upgrade not only ensures service continuity but also enables future capabilities, particularly in supporting the evolution toward 4G and 5G functionalities [4]. With this strategic move, Proximus reinforces its commitment to building an inclusive digital society while ensuring profitable growth for long-term stakeholder value [3].