The new law obliges Swisscom, where it is dominant in the market, to make available to its competitors, for payment, the copper cables to residential connections. The decree regulates the details of unbundling, such as access to Swisscom's local exchanges or local distribution nodes, where competitors link their network to Swisscom's copper. It will be some time before unbundling is implemented and customers can actually benefit from new offerings from Swisscom's competitors. The first products are expected towards the end of the year.

Consumer protection

The new legal basis strengthens consumer protection in the area of value-added services (telephone numbers or SMS with higher charges). If a bill for value-added services is disputed, the telephone line can no longer be barred because of this. In addition, upper price limits will be introduced (CHF 100 as a basic charge, CHF 10 per minute, CHF 5 per minute for SMS messages, and a maximum of CHF 400 per call or subscription). The existing obligations regarding notification of prices will continue to apply. Also, providers of value-added services must be based in a country which allows legal actions against these providers by Swiss customers in Swiss courts. In addition, access by customers under 16 years of age to adult entertainment services will as far as possible be barred.

As a further consumer protection measure, an arbitration service for customer disputes will be set up and spam will in principle be banned. In the case of mobile calls, customers must be informed in advance whether they are calling a different network (e.g. by means of an audible signal).

Apprenticeships

Telecom companies must now provide a minimum number of apprenticeships. The number corresponds to three percent of their full-time positions.

New Law on Telecommunications enters into force on 1 April