Are consumers footing the bill?: Federal government and telecommunications providers in conflict over network upgrades

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You want to be reachable anytime, anywhere with your mobile phone. Even if the power is cut off for a long time. That’s why the federal government wants to upgrade cell phone antennas. And he handed over the task to the country’s three largest mobile phone providers: Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt. Consultations have been ongoing since November. The big three have until mid-February to review the proposal.

Criticisms are already being heard. “Making the power supply reliable is the competence and responsibility of the electricity sector and should not be the responsibility of mobile phone operators,” a spokesperson said in response to Blick’s question. Sunrise doubts whether the proposed measures can even be implemented. As a reminder: The federal government requires antennas to remain operational for 72 hours, even in the event of a power outage. In case of a serious power outage, the mobile network will need to provide service for 14 days.

The industry leader is also skeptical: “Swisscom considers the measures required by the Federal Council to be large-scale, technically feasible only to a limited extent and too expensive,” says a spokesman for Blick. The company also criticizes the federal government’s exclusion of some cost blocks, such as staff training.

Dispute over the amount of costs

Speaking of costs, consumers may also be asked to pay. The Federal Communications Office (Bakom) expects annual costs of 150 million francs at the expense of mobile phone providers. “The real cost of the proposed measures may be much higher than reported by the Federal Council,” Sunrise points out.

However, Bakom considers the price increases reasonable: Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom users will have to pay 3.60 to 8.40 francs more per year for their mobile phone subscriptions. Because they will benefit the most from the expansion. But what if the costs are higher, as mobile phone providers suspect?

Swisscom will not increase subscription prices for now, at least until the end of 2024. However, from 2025, customers may be asked to pay to upgrade their antennas. “We think it is too early to make a statement about prices. “The consultation process is currently ongoing,” Swisscom said on behalf of the company. Sunrise and Salt have not yet commented on whether they will pass on the costs to their customers.

Source :Blick