New SMS messaging platform for BNP Paribas Fortis
Published on 23/06/2026 in Customer talks
With over a million SMS messages sent each month, BNP Paribas Fortis decided to modernize this strategic channel using a cloud platform operated along with Proximus NXT and its partner RingRing. A reliable, scalable solution tailored to the needs of the banking sector.
A key channel for customer relations
At BNP Paribas Fortis, text messages are a key channel for both operational and marketing-related communication with customers.
To modernize this large-scale communication system and make it more reliable, the bank decided to migrate to a new cloud-based SMS platform.
“Security is an integral part of this SMS platform, particularly in light of growing cyber threats and stricter regulatory requirements,” explains Bernard Henrioulle, Head of the Telecom Sector in Belgium at BNP Paribas Fortis.
Security is an integral part of this SMS platform, in light of growing cyber threats and stricter regulatory requirements.
Bernard Henrioulle, Head of the Telecommunications Sector in Belgium at BNP Paribas Fortis
A proven partner for a critical project
As part of this A2P (application-to-person) project, BNP Paribas Fortis issued an exacting call for tenders. Proximus NXT stood out for its ability to meet the banking sector’s expectations, combining local expertise with a deep understanding of complex environments.
“Proximus NXT is a trusted major player in the Belgian ICT market. It has proved itself on numerous projects,” says Bernard Henrioulle.
A partnership built on trust
The solution is based on a strong partnership between Proximus NXT and RingRing, with which it has worked closely for over 15 years.
RingRing, a leading Belgian player, provides its operational and technical expertise in SMS traffic management, while Proximus NXT handles the project’s overall coordination and its integration into the bank’s environment.
This structure allows BNP Paribas Fortis to work with a single point of contact, ensuring a high-performing solution tailored to its needs.
To build genuine customer intimacy, it’s essential to use the channels they prefer, such as SMS messaging.
Anne-Christine Lê, Corporate Sales Manager Vertical Finance at Proximus NXT
Strengthening customer intimacy through SMS
Beyond the technical challenges, the project serves a clear business objective: to strengthen customer intimacy.
“BNP Paribas Fortis is doing all it can to stay close to its end customers in an increasingly digital world. To build real customer intimacy – that is, to understand their needs better and communicate in a relevant way – it’s essential to use the channels they prefer, such as SMS messaging,” explains Anne Christine Lê, Corporate Sales Manager Vertical Finance at Proximus NXT.
A high-performance, scalable solution for high volumes
BNP Paribas Fortis was looking for a solution capable of handling very large volumes of communications while remaining flexible and scalable.
The cloud platform that has been implemented makes it possible:
- to handle very large volumes of SMS messages efficiently
- to make it easy to adapt usage to specific needs
- to fit into a demanding banking environment
Collaboration between the teams was key. Every issue was resolved quickly, and the system went live without any downtime.
Bernard Henrioulle, Head of the Telecommunications Sector in Belgium at BNP Paribas Fortis.
A fast migration with no downtime
The migration to the new platform was a major challenge. It was completed in less than three months, with no impact on customers and no downtime.
“Collaboration between the teams was key. Every issue was resolved quickly, and the system went live without any downtime, which was essential for us,” emphasizes Bernard Henrioulle.
A sustainable, future-proof solution
Beyond the migration, BNP Paribas Fortis wanted a solution capable of evolving with its needs and its environment.
“We now have a stable and enduring platform that can adapt over time,” says Henrioulle.
Drawing on its industry expertise, Proximus NXT supports its customers in their digital transformations by offering solutions tailored to the financial sector’s specific needs.
A long-term relationship built on trust
The project’s success is also based on structured governance and regular communication between the teams.
“Proximus NXT has proved its ability to support us effectively. This is a solution partner that we will continue to involve in our future projects,” concludes Henrioulle.
Key project figures
- More than one million SMS messages per month
- Migration completed in less than 3 months
- No customer impact and no downtime
- Platform run by Proximus NXT and RingRing
Find out how Proximus NXT’s communication solutions can improve your customer proximity and digital resilience.
Bernard Henrioulle is Head of the Telecom Sector in Belgium at BNP Paribas Fortis. He has spent more than 35 years working in IT at BNP Paribas Fortis. He started out as a COBOL developer, then took on a variety of challenges in the worlds of PC and server management before turning his attention to telecommunications.
Anne-Christine Lê is Corporate Sales Manager Vertical Finance at Proximus NXT. With 25 years of experience in the ICT sector, she has spent much of her career at the Proximus Group, first in product management and marketing, and later in sales and corporate affairs. She is now in charge of corporate clients in the financial sector.