Proximus Launches 5G Network Slicing During Red Devils Match
Belgian telecom operator Proximus has successfully launched commercial 5G network slicing technology, deploying three simultaneous virtual networks during the Red Devils’ friendly match against Tunisia at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Saturday. The milestone marks the first time in Belgium that multiple 5G network slices have been operated concurrently at a single location with tens of thousands of attendees, according to RTBF.
What is Network Slicing?
Network slicing is a feature of 5G standalone (5G SA) architecture that allows a single physical mobile network to be divided into multiple virtual networks, or “slices.” Each slice is isolated from regular internet traffic and optimized for specific performance requirements such as low latency, high bandwidth, or reliability.
Proximus compares the technology to “a highway divided into several virtual lanes,” where certain lanes are reserved exclusively for specific services. The technology is enabled by Proximus’s 5G+ (5G standalone) network, which was commercially launched on April 7, 2026, as reported by the European Commission’s 5G Observatory.
Three Slices, Three Critical Services
During the match — the Red Devils’ final warm-up fixture before departing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — Proximus deployed three distinct network slices serving fundamentally different purposes.
The first, a mission-critical slice dedicated to medical assistance, enabled the on-site medical team from UZ Brussel (University Hospital Brussels) to transmit patient vital parameters in real time to the hospital. “When we talk about evacuating a patient, the most important thing is that the hospital receiving them has precise data about the patient’s condition,” said Dr. Yves Hubloue, Head of Emergency Services at UZ Brussel. “Connectivity and 5G transmission of the patient’s vital parameters is very important because the patient care team will already be informed. This will be a huge time gain for the health of the patient concerned.”
The second slice, a broadcasting slice developed in partnership with DPG Media, served as a dedicated backup connection for live match broadcasting, ensuring stable and uninterrupted video capture even under extreme network load.
The third, an event-critical slice, handled mobile payment transactions within the stadium, guaranteeing reliability for hundreds of simultaneous transactions and reducing queue times for supporters, as The Brussels Times reported.
A Technological First for Belgium
While Proximus had previously tested network slicing with RTBF at the Les Ardentes festival in 2025, the simultaneous deployment of three slices in a high-density stadium environment was unprecedented in Belgium. “When the Red Devils play, everything must go well, on the field and beyond,” said Renaud Tilmans, Chief Enterprise Officer at Proximus. “With this first, we show as the first in Belgium how our 5G network can simultaneously support and guarantee multiple critical applications, from medical assistance to live broadcasting and payments, and that in a full King Baudouin Stadium.”
Proximus 5G specialist Frédéric Renette explained the network’s resilience: “The overall network is very dense and monitored. If an antenna fails, other antennas take over to ensure coverage. In a crisis or incident situation, emergency services will have priority with the use of the slice.”
Implications and Future Applications
The successful deployment carries significant implications. The medical slice, in particular, demonstrates how 5G can deliver tangible societal benefits beyond faster smartphone speeds — real-time transmission of patient data during emergencies could save critical minutes in patient care.
For Proximus, the launch positions the operator as a technology leader in the Belgian telecom market, strengthening its business case for 5G standalone investment and providing a concrete demonstration for enterprise customers including event organizers, broadcasters, and payment providers.
Looking ahead, Renette pointed to autonomous vehicles and remotely controlled boats as future use cases. The technology could also be applied to festivals, smart city infrastructure, industrial IoT, and emergency services. Proximus’s 5G network already covers 92% of the Belgian population, with near-total coverage targeted by the end of 2026.
What to Watch For
Network slicing is not yet available to consumer subscribers — initial compatibility is limited to select smartphones such as the Google Pixel 9 and 10, with a consumer rollout expected in summer 2026. Pricing models for slicing services remain unclear, and competitors Telenet/BASE and Orange Belgium will be watching closely as Proximus moves to capitalize on its first-mover advantage.
The question now is whether Proximus can translate this technological milestone into a lasting competitive edge — and whether Belgium’s historically challenging telecom regulatory environment will support or slow the technology’s broader adoption.