Massive increase in broadband connections - slower growth in mobile telephony in 2002

Biel-Bienne, 23.10.2003 - In 2002, broadband connections in Switzerland increased by 148%, whereas the increase in mobile telephone subscribers slowed down to 8.7%. These are two results from the official telecommunications statistics produced by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM).

Every year, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) collects statistical data from telecommunication services providers operating in Switzerland; these data are used to generate the official statistics. The definitive results for the mobile telephone networks are now available for the year 2002. They show that the increase in mobile telephone subscriptions has slowed down. The number of SMS messages transmitted by mobile operators fell slightly in the year 2002, after registering three-figure growth in each of the 3 previous years.

For the other services, OFCOM is publishing an estimate of the results for 2002. It will only be possible to compile the full results after receipt and evaluation of questionnaires which are still outstanding; they will be published in spring 2004.

However, it is already possible to estimate that the greatest growth in 2002 occurred in the number of internet customers, which increased by 11.4%. The increase in broadband connections was very high in the year 2002 – the number of internet connections using ADSL increased by 358.8% and cable TV connections by 69.1%.

In order to make additional current information available to the Swiss telecommunications market, OFCOM publishes a half-yearly collection of indicators from other publicly accessible sources.

Address for enquiries

Press service OFCOM, 032 327 55 50