Technology
Brussels Fiber Network Fuels Tech Startup Growth Across City Clusters
Strong fixed broadband availability aligns with growth in the local tech and startup scene.
How we reported this
Seventy-five percent of Brussels homes can already access fibre broadband, with gigabit coverage nearly universal and making the region the leader in Belgian fibre deployment, according to the nPerf barometer on fixed connections. This level of infrastructure supports the city's position as Belgium's largest tech ecosystem by volume, which hosts approximately 319 active tech startups.
Startup Funding and Job Growth Track Connectivity Reach
Brussels digital startups raised a record €330 million in the first half of 2026, exceeding the full-year total from 2020, while tech headcount expanded at a 10 percent compound annual growth rate between 2023 and 2025 and added roughly 2,235 international positions. Healthtech and fintech remain the largest segments, with an estimated 150 fintech startups active in the city. The presence of at least 23 digital hubs and clusters, including Tour & Taxis, The Egg and Silversquare Louise, coincides with this expansion.
Proximus and Scarlet lead Brussels internet service providers with measured average download speeds of 238.17 Mb/s and upload speeds of 123 Mb/s. In most areas users reach 100-400 Mbps through DSL or cable, while full fibre reaches up to 1000 Mbps in select locations. DIGI offers 500 Mbps service at €10 per month with free installation, alongside Scarlet at €34 per month and Proximus entry tiers beginning at €25 per month.
Weekly Networking Events Anchor Local Tech Community
The Brussels Tech Mixer and Social meets every Friday at 6:00 PM at Time Out Pub in central Brussels, drawing participants from AI, data and IT fields. Brotaru holds a monthly meetup for videogame developers, Databeers gathers data science enthusiasts on a regular schedule, CryptoWednesday convenes on the first Wednesday evening of each month at the Commons Hub near Central Station, and Tech Tuesdays open the Hackerspace in Molenbeek to non-members.
Brussels ranks last in Europe for high-quality 5G availability at 25 percent against a 70 percent urban European average, a gap traced to earlier rollout delays under strict radiation limits. Established providers continue to deliver competitive fixed-line options that startups and developers rely on for daily operations. Residents and new ventures can compare current fibre and cable plans through local comparison sites or provider portals to match speeds and pricing to project needs.