Leading Players
As leading players in fiber optic infrastructure, SFN connects local networks to a homogeneous, open national network with around one million usage units. While SFN provides transport services for telecom providers, Swiss FibreCo AG focuses on the planning and operation of regional FTTH networks. "We stand for constructive cooperation 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 particularly advocate for the selective inclusion of pure infrastructure operators under the law. This aims to achieve equal treatment with telecommunication service providers, significantly contributing to effective competition in the provision of telecommunications services.
Security and Resilience Without Overregulation
A central aspect of the statement is the strengthening of national digital sovereignty and cybersecurity. SFN and SFC support regulation to better protect citizens and businesses, but they place a strong emphasis on avoiding unnecessary overregulation: - Proportionality: The new regulations must be role-based and technology-neutral. In particular, operators of purely passive infrastructures (fiber optics/conduits) should not be subject to the same obligations as active network operators to avoid stifling investment incentives with disproportionate costs. - Swiss Pragmatism: Implementation should proceed with due diligence and reflect "Swiss pragmatism." The aim is to avoid preemptive regulation and instead leverage industry-specific self-regulation opportunities. - Geopolitical Neutrality: Switzerland should proceed objectively with regulation and not blindly follow international trends to avoid getting caught in geopolitical conflicts.
Efficiency and Infrastructure
SFN and SFC also support the expanded, cross-sector regulation of infrastructure sharing, provided it occurs under reasonable conditions. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of phasing out copper technology and fair price regulation in the shared use of conduits.
Support for the Broadband Promotion Act (BBFG)
Alongside the FMG revision, SFN and SFC explicitly welcome the Federal Council's proposal for the Broadband Promotion Act. They advocate for targeted support in underserved regions, but call for a faster start to funding and reject complex, sector-specific price regulation, as it could hinder 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 fiber optic networks of its partners into the large-scale, homogeneous, and open "Swiss Fibre Net," offering this to national telecom providers for use. This ensures 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 fiber optic networks in Switzerland. The aim is to provide comprehensive, powerful, and sustainable fiber optic infrastructure.
Media Contact:
Andreas Waber CEO Swiss Fibre Net AG +41 79 668 90 78 andreas.waber@swissfibrenet.ch https://www.swissfibrenet.ch/news