Belgians are using more data than ever
It's not your imagination - data consumption in Belgium has more than tripled in five years, from an average of 3GB per month in 2019 to over 10GB per month today, according to Belgium's telecom regulator BIPT. Streaming, video calls, and social media are the biggest drivers.
If you're staying connected with family abroad through daily video calls, streaming shows from home, or using your phone as your main internet connection, your real usage is often higher than you'd guess.
What uses the most data?
| Activity | Data per hour |
|---|---|
| HD video streaming (Netflix, YouTube) | ~3 GB |
| Video calls (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime) | ~0.75 GB |
| Social media (Instagram, TikTok) | ~0.5 GB |
| Music/podcasts | ~0.15 GB |
| Browsing & messaging | ~0.075 GB |
| Maps & navigation | ~0.05 GB |
Our plans, matched to how you actually use your phone
| Plan | Data | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan S | 5GB | €10 | Light use - messaging, browsing, occasional social media |
| Plan Star | 10GB | €15 | Regular calls home + moderate social media/streaming |
| Plan M | 40GB | €15 | Daily video calls, regular streaming, active social media use |
| Plan L | 100GB | €20 | Heavy streaming, multiple video calls daily, hotspot use |
| Plan XXL | 300GB | €25 | No home broadband, hotspot for laptop/TV, multiple people sharing |
How much data do you need?
FAQs
How much data do I need per month in Belgium?
It depends on your habits, but the national average is now around 10GB per month. If you stream video daily, make regular video calls abroad, or use your phone as a hotspot, you'll likely need 40GB or more. Use the calculator above for a number based on your actual usage.
What uses the most mobile data?
Video is by far the biggest driver - streaming in HD uses about 3GB per hour, and even video calls on WhatsApp or Viber use around 0.75GB per hour. If you're watching shows or making frequent video calls, this is where most of your data goes.
Can I use my phone as a hotspot without home internet?
Yes - many Lycamobile customers use their mobile data as their only internet connection, tethering to a laptop or smart TV. If this is you, we'd recommend Plan L (100GB) or Plan XXL (300GB) to cover both phone and hotspot use comfortably.
Do video calls to family abroad use a lot of data?
Standard video calls (WhatsApp, Viber, IMO) use about 0.5 - 1GB per hour. If you call home daily for even 30 minutes, that alone can add up to 10 - 15GB per month.