Telenet group sharpens Belgian growth plan and optimises its retail network

Mechelen, 23 February 2026 — 2026 is a remarkable year for Telenet group (hereafter “Telenet”): the company celebrates its 30th anniversary, while confidently looking ahead. The telecom sector is evolving rapidly — with a highly competitive landscape, significant network investments and the accelerated rise of artificial intelligence. To maintain its leading role in Belgium, Telenet is setting clear priorities for the future: growth, digital reinforcement and an excellent customer experience are central to this, alongside a focus on an even more agile and efficient organisation.
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​According to Telenet’s own research, customers are looking for faster, simpler and more digitally convenient ways to receive support or choose a product. By accelerating investments in online service, Telenet ensures customers get faster answers to straightforward questions, for instance through chatbots or through upgraded digital channels. Digital platforms are also playing an increasingly important role in sales. As a result, in‑store visits continue to decline, a trend that is expected to persist.

Telenet is closely monitoring this shift and is further strengthening its online service offering, ensuring that customers enjoy an excellent experience at any moment and through any channel. Digital where it makes sense, personal where it matters.

A retail network built for the future

Physical stores continue to play an important role by offering customers personal guidance for more complex questions, supporting the sale of products and services, and strengthening the overall brand experience. That is why, in the coming months, Telenet will continue preparing its retail network for the future. The company is further investing in dual-brand shops where Telenet and BASE are present together, building on strong partnerships and selectively adapting the store network in areas where demand is structurally declining.

This means that five additional dual-brand shops will open in the months ahead: three operated directly by Telenet and two run by the strategic partner Spectrum. In addition, a few company‑owned stores will also be transferred to Spectrum, as well as to another partner, MI Concept. Six stores will close as their operating costs are no longer in balance with their contribution to commercial performance and overall customer experience (BASE Louise, BASE La Chasse, BASE Westland, Telenet Schoten, BASE Kiel and BASE Merksem).

Throughout these changes, Telenet is putting maximum focus on finding solutions for its employees. Colleagues from stores transitioning to dual-brand shops will be able to take up roles in these new locations, while those transferring to partner‑operated stores will retain equivalent employment conditions. For the nine employees for whom no solution is available within the retail structure or with the strategic partners, Telenet will provide personalised career support to help them transition to their next opportunity.

An agile organisation ready for the future

To continue investing in growth and technology, Telenet is adapting the way it works and expects to reduce its total workforce by 10% by 2028. The company will gradually scale back its use of external consultants and aims to reduce this group by 65% by 2028.

Telenet is also launching a voluntary departure programme for its own employees. Eligible employees who choose to leave the company voluntarily will be able to benefit from a personalised support package that helps them prepare for their next career step. As part of this voluntary departure programme, Telenet will immediately enter discussions with the social partners.

These measures reinforce Telenet’s ambition to grow sustainably as a healthy, efficient and future‑focused organisation. They are entirely independent of the recently announced decision to place Telenet within Ziggo Group.

“Our industry continues to evolve rapidly, and that pace of change requires us to stay ahead of the curve. That’s why we are refining our direction within our growth plan: we want to excel in digital customer experience, continue investing in our technology and ensure that our organisation remains sustainably healthy for the future,” says John Porter, CEO of Telenet group. “The reduction in external consultancy and the voluntary departure programme are part of that approach, but they are being implemented in the way people know us for at Telenet: with the utmost respect for our employees and partners. This is how we remain healthy and competitive, ready for the next 30 years.”