Leading Players
As leading players in the fibre optic infrastructure, SFN connects local networks to form a homogeneous, open national network with approximately one million usage units. While SFN provides transport services for telecom providers, Swiss FibreCo AG focuses on planning and operating regional FTTH networks. "We stand for constructive collaboration with the federal government, cantons, and municipalities to jointly advance Switzerland's digital infrastructure," emphasize SFN and SFC.
Competition and Regulatory Fairness
In their FMG submission, SFN and SFC especially advocate for selective regulation of pure infrastructure operators under the law. This aims to achieve equal treatment with telecommunications service providers, significantly contributing to effective competition in telecommunications services.
Security and Resilience without Overregulation
A central point of the statement is strengthening national digital sovereignty and cybersecurity. SFN and SFC support regulation to better protect the population and businesses, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary overregulation:
- Proportionality: The new requirements must be role-based and technology-neutral. Especially operators of purely passive infrastructures (fibre optics/conduits) should not be subjected to the same obligations as active network operators to avoid discouraging investment with disproportionate costs. - Swiss Pragmatism: Implementation should be measured and reflect "Swiss pragmatism." Regulation "in advance" should be avoided, and instead, industry self-regulation potentials should be fully utilized. - Geopolitical Neutrality: Switzerland should proceed objectively with regulation and not blindly follow international trends, so as not to become entangled in geopolitical conflicts.
Efficiency and Infrastructure
SFN and SFC also support the extended, cross-sectoral regulation for shared use of infrastructures, provided this occurs under reasonable conditions. They also stress the importance of phasing out copper technology and fair pricing regulation for the multiple use of conduits.
Support for the Broadband Promotion Act (BBFG)
Parallel to the FMG revision, SFN and SFC explicitly welcome the Federal Council's message on the Broadband Promotion Act. They advocate for targeted support in underserved regions, however, call for a faster start to funding and reject complicated, sector-specific price regulation as it discourages investment.
Swiss Fibre Net AG
Swiss Fibre Net AG is a joint venture of local energy suppliers and cable network operators in Switzerland. It connects the local fibre optic networks of its network partners to the large-scale, homogeneous, and open "Swiss Fibre Net," and offers it to national telecom providers for use. With this, Swiss Fibre Net AG guarantees competition in the telecommunications market.
Swiss FibreCo AG
Swiss FibreCo AG is a subsidiary of Swiss Fibre Net AG (SFN) and invests in the expansion of open-access fibre optic networks in Switzerland. Its goal is to provide comprehensive, high-performance, and sustainable fibre optic infrastructure.
Contact for Media Inquiries and Further Information:
Andreas Waber
CEO Swiss Fibre Net AG
+41 79 668 90 78
andreas.waber@swissfibrenet.ch
https://www.swissfibrenet.ch/news