ROB and Belnet launch first span of Belgium’s resilient optical timing network

The Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) and Belnet are delighted to announce that – as part of the BOOSTED project – the first span of the Belgian time and frequency network is operational since December 4, 2025.

BOOSTED aims to develop an optical network for time and frequency transfer (T&F) in Belgium and connect it to the European metrology network. As the BOOSTED network is relying on optical links, it is insensitive to GNSS threats (like jamming, spoofing, …), supporting the development of resilient infrastructure.

This initial step enables already the delivery of an accurate timing signal, generated by the atomic clocks operated at the ROB, to 2 Belnet points-of-presence and 1 commercial data centre in the Brussels region. More specifically, the first 2 optical timing links are achieving an accuracy at the sub nanosecond level, making it more accurate than the timing signals currently generated by PTP and GNSS.

In the coming months, we will implement the next spans and will continue to connect users who have already expressed their desire to benefit from this service. If your organisation is also interested in joining the T&F network, be sure to register for the second time & frequency workshop, which will take place on March 10, 2026. This workshop, organised by the ROB and Belnet, will outline the progress made within the BOOSTED project and the steps that have already been taken in developing a sustainable T&F infrastructure in Belgium. Registration for this workshop is available via the following link: https://events.spacepole.be/event/269/.