Swiss operators announce plans to deploy fiber broadband services
Fiber optics is the fastest wireline network technology, offering upload and download speeds of up to 1 Gb/s. As such, telecom companies in countries across the world are accelerating efforts to expand the network and bring high-performance internet to all households – including Switzerland.
Around two thirds of Swiss home broadband subscriptions are DSL with the remaining third using cable. Many DSL providers sell DSL that comes without telephone service, but is cheaper, while other technologies like optical fiber are available but only used by businesses because they are costly.
Switzerland has one of the fastest broadband infiltration rates in Europe consisting of 6.8 million Internet users, which constitutes 85.2% of the population, with 3.3 million subscribers of fixed broadband, which constitutes 41.9% of the population.
In addition, Swiss telecom companies plan to expand the network with the latest fiber optic technology to all Switzerland by 2021, to ensure that 90% of the Swiss population enjoy high-speed internet.
Two of the leading mobile network providers, Salt and Sunrise have teamed up this week, to announce plans to roll out fiber broadband services. Their goal is to reach 1.5 million homes in the coming five to seven years for a total investment of CHF3 billion (2.8 billion euros). These homes include areas of Switzerland that are not supplied with broadband.
André Krause, CEO of Sunrise, said, “We are excited to embark on this joint venture which will accelerate ultrafast broadband connectivity and significantly improve fiber penetration in Switzerland relative to other European countries.”
Pascal Grieder, CEO of Salt, said: “This project is unique of its kind, leveraging the capabilities and reach of two strong Swiss operators to create a nationwide infrastructure. Growing importance of flexible and virtual working and learning models will continue to drive the need for high-performance broadband services across Swiss homes. ”