Unternavigation

The universal service for telecommunications

The purpose of the universal service is to guarantee that a basic telecommunications services offering is made available to all categories of the population and in all the regions of the country. These services must be affordable, reliable and must be of a certain quality. The universal service includes the public telephone service, broadband internet connections and the provision of special services for the disabled.

The universal service licence

On 15 May 2023, ComCom designated Swisscom as the holder of the universal service licence for the next period. This document lays down the obligations of the universal service licensee.

The universal service licence 2018-2023 (PDF, 421 kB, 31.12.2019)

With regard to internet access, the minimum data transfer rate is 10/1 Mbit/s from 1 January 2020 onwards. From 2024, there will be an additional service with a specified transmission rate of 80/8 Mbit/s.

Every household can benefit of two entries in the subscriber directory.

In addition to SMS transcription and relay services, and voice access to directory services, the hearing-impaired also benefit from a sign-language relay service for conversations via video telephony.

Future universal service licence

16.05.2023

Swisscom to retain universal service obligation

The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has decided to award Swisscom the universal service licence for the period from 2024 to end-2031. This ensures that the expanded service offering defined by the Federal Council will be implemented.

16.12.2022

Faster internet for universal service

The Federal Council is increasing internet speeds under the universal service obligation. From 2024, a download speed of 80 Mbps will also be available. The necessary revision of the Ordinance on Telecommunications Services was passed by the Federal Council on 16 December. This will benefit people living in areas where no equivalent services exist on the market. The Federal Communications Commission ComCom can now launch the procedure for granting the next universal service licence.

30.10.2019

Faster internet in the universal service from 2020

The minimum speed for surfing the internet via broadband connections prescribed in the universal service will be more than tripled from next year. This decision was made by the Federal Council at its meeting on 30 October. The Federal Council is thus following the will of parliament.

19.05.2017

ComCom awards telecoms universal service licence to Swisscom

The universal service in relation to telecommunications services will continue to be provided by Swisscom: the Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has awarded the universal service licence for the period from 2018 to 2022 to Swisscom.