Press releases
Federal Council launches consultation on revised corporate fee for radio and TV
The Federal Council intends to adjust the tariff model for the corporate radio and television fee in line with a decision by the Federal Supreme Court. The consultation on the partial revision of the Radio and Television Ordinance will open on 23 June 2026. In future, companies with higher turnover will be required to contribute proportionately more than smaller companies.
Payment transactions: Swiss Post meets the universal service requirements
In 2025, Swiss Post had ensured that at least 96.1% of the population in all cantons had access to payment services, thereby significantly exceeding the legal threshold of 90%. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) concludes that Swiss Post has fully complied with its universal service mandate regarding payment transactions.
Local radio stations and regional TV broadcasters: good coverage of regional events
In 2025, all licensed regional TV broadcasters met the minimum requirement for regional news coverage for the first time. This is shown by the latest programme analysis published by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) on its website on 1 June 2026. In 2024, all licensed local radio stations had already met this requirement.
OFCOM publishes FM frequencies – radio stations can submit applications
On 28 May 2026, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) published the FM broadcasting frequency packages. Interested radio stations may submit an application for a broadcasting licence by 31 July 2026. If several radio stations apply for the same frequency, an auction will be held.
Federal Council intends to strengthen security in the telecoms sector
Telecommunications infrastructure and the telecommunications services offered via such infrastructure are to be better protected against cyberthreats. The Federal Council is proposing various amendments to telecommunications legislation. It launched the relevant consultation proceedings on 27 May 2026.
AI and digitalisation in the spotlight at the Swiss IGF
On 16 June 2026, the Swiss Internet Governance Forum (Swiss IGF) in Bern will address the most pressing issues facing the digital world – from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to digital sovereignty. The eleventh Swiss Internet Governance Forum is open to all interested parties. The closing date for registration is 9 June.
Federal Council lays groundwork for new emergency call function
At its meeting on 6 May 2026, the Federal Council amended several ordinances to promote a secure emergency call system. In future, people in distress will be able to use their smartphones to write to the police, fire brigade and ambulance emergency services via real-time text (RTT). Furthermore, the next-generation automatic emergency call system for vehicles (NG eCall) will also be able to use more advanced mobile communications technologies. In addition, a helpline and advice service for victims of domestic violence has been set up under the short number 142.
Allocation of VHF (FM) licences for radio stations from 2027
OFCOM has set out the procedure for awarding VHF (FM) radio licences for the broadcasting of radio programming from 2027 onwards. SRG SSR and private radio stations with a public service mandate may continue to use their existing frequencies upon application. The remaining frequencies will be reallocated. FM broadcasting remains voluntary. If several interested parties apply for the same frequencies, an auction will take place.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti to open AI for Good Global Summit in July
In early July 2026, Geneva will host three international conferences on artificial intelligence and the information society. The AI for Good Global Summit, which will be opened by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, will take centre stage.
President Parmelin meets Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, announces 2027 AI summit for Geneva
President Guy Parmelin has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other heads of state and government at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where discussions focused on the use and international governance of artificial intelligence. Switzerland remains committed to this debate and will host an AI summit in Geneva in 2027.
Early delivery of newspapers and magazines to be subsidised
Early delivery of subscription newspapers and magazines is set to become more affordable, with an additional CHF 25 million per year being made available. This increase of press subsidies limited to seven year aims to strengthen media diversity in Switzerland. The Federal Council opened a consultation on the amendment to the Postal Ordinance on 18 February 2026. The consultation runs until 25 May 2026.
President Parmelin to attend summit on artificial intelligence in India
President Guy Parmelin will represent Switzerland at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week. The summit serves as a forum for discussions on the implementation and use of AI. During his visit to the event on Thursday, 19 February, Mr Parmelin will meet with heads of state and government and hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Digital Switzerland Advisory Board: Measures to implement the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence
At the Digital Switzerland Advisory Board meeting on 10 February, participants discussed what measures should be taken to implement the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence in Switzerland. The focus was on measures such as voluntary commitment declarations by individual industries, codes of ethics and standards. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi.
Switch to continue managing the .ch internet domain
The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) has decided to continue working with the Switch foundation to manage the .ch internet domain extension. Operational continuity, security requirements and satisfaction among market participants led OFCOM to redelegate the registry function to Switch. The new contract enters into force on 1 January 2027.
Federal Council wants subsidies for subscription and foundation publications delivered by private companies
Financial support should also be provided for subscription and foundation publications when they are delivered by private providers. Currently, this only applies when they are delivered by Swiss Post. At its meeting on 28 January 2026, the Federal Council initiated the consultation procedure on the partial revision of the Postal Services Act.
AI Summit 2027: Switzerland indicates willingness to host event
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council confirmed Switzerland's intention to organise a summit on artificial intelligence (AI) in Geneva in 2027. A final decision will be taken at the next AI summit in Delhi in February.
Secure emergency calls: Mobile network operators must guarantee emergency power by 2031
Swiss mobile network operators must better protect their networks against power failures. Mobile service failures can cause significant economic damage and endanger people's safety. The Federal Council consequently adopted an ordinance revision at its meeting on 14 January 2026.
Digital letters will be included in the universal postal service
The Federal Council approved a partial revision of the Postal Services Ordinance at its meeting on 19 December. Swiss Post is to gain more flexibility in the delivery of letters and parcels as the universal service will be supplemented by the provision of digital letters.
Switzerland welcomes UN commitment to inclusive digital governance
During the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a high-level UN meeting on the future of the internet and digital cooperation, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to an open and inclusive information society that respects human rights. Switzerland welcomes this strategic decision, which is in line with its commitment to a digital environment that benefits everyone.
Faster to stable mobile networks
Mobile communications are indispensable for the public and the economy. To facilitate the expansion of communication networks, the Federal Council intends to amend the procedure for commissioning mobile phone masts. On 12 December, it launched a consultation on a revision of the Telecommunications Act. The bill creates the necessary framework conditions to provide reliable mobile phone coverage and protect the public and the environment. The consultation closes on 31 March 2026.
Increase in funding for local and regional print media
In 2026, local and regional print media will receive a discount of 43 centimes for each publication distributed by Swiss Post. This increase of 15 centimes compared to 2025 is due to an increase in the annual federal contribution to print media and a decrease in the number of publications distributed. Titles published by associations and foundations will benefit from a support of 24 centimes per copy, an increase of 2 centimes compared to this year. The Federal Council approved these amounts at its meeting on 12 December 2025.
New law on communication platforms and search engines: Start of consultation proceedings
The Federal Council wants to strengthen the rights of users in the digital space and oblige very large online platforms and search engines to be more fair and transparent. A new law is to define core rules for services such as Facebook, X, TikTok or Google in law. The Federal Council decided this at its meeting on 29 October 2025. Interested parties have until 16 February 2026 to submit their views.
Increase in funding for regional and local press
From 1 January 2026, the annual federal contribution to regional and local print media will rise to CHF 40 million, an increase of CHF 10 million. This was decided by the Federal Council at its meeting on 15 October. The decision implements the resolution passed by Parliament on parliamentary initiative 22.423 Bulliard-Marbach.
Confederation releases new comic on the risks of digitalisation
OFCOM published the fourth issue of its comic series Stories from Everyday Digital Life. In 12 new stories, the fictional Webster family encourages the public to be careful in the networked world. Pupils, teachers, parents and other readers can order print copies of the comic free of charge or download it online at www.websters.swiss. It is published in all four national languages and in English.
SRG SSR and film industry to forge closer ties
The independent audiovisual sector plays a vital role in Switzerland's film technology and commissioned production landscape. The Federal Council therefore welcomes the legal framework for enhanced collaboration between SRG SSR and the film technology services sector, following recommendations from the National Council's Commission for Transport and Telecommunications. In its statement of 8 October, the Federal Council has recommended that Parliament advances the committee's draft legislation.
Swiss IGF 2025: open dialogue on key digitalisation issues
On 9 October 2025, the Swiss Internet Governance Forum (Swiss IGF) in Bern will discuss the most pressing issues in the digital world – from the regulation of artificial intelligence and digital identity to data governance and digital sovereignty. The tenth edition of the forum welcomes all interested parties. Registration is open until 2 October 2025.
Federal Council to strengthen cyber resilience of digital products
Although preventing security vulnerabilities is crucial for cybersecurity, Switzerland currently has few regulations regarding the cyber resilience of digital products. The Federal Council aims to change this. At its meeting on 20 August, it tasked the DDPS, in collaboration with DETEC and the EAER, with drafting a bill to be submitted for consultation. This new legislation will raise security requirements for products containing digital components, responding to the demands of Motion 24.3810, ‘Conducting urgently needed cybersecurity checks’, which was submitted by the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States.
Electronic signatures: data access period extended
When a certificate that validates an electronic signature is revoked, information about the revocation must now remain accessible online for at least 11 years. The Federal Council approved this revision to the Ordinance on the Electronic Signature at its meeting on 20 August.
Postal services: Modernisation of universal service
The universal postal and payment transaction services are to be adapted to the changing habits and needs of the public and businesses. Legal certainty is to be established regarding which postal activities are permissible besides the universal service. At its meeting on 13 August 2025, the Federal Council adopted key parameters for a revision of the law on postal services.