Universal service licence for Swisscom
Berne, 22.06.2007 - The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has designated Swisscom as the universal service licensee from 1 January 2008 onwards. For the next ten years, the licensee will be obliged to provide the services which constitute the universal service in the telecommunications sector to all sections of the population and in all regions of the country. The new licence obliges Swisscom to provide a broadband internet connection in addition to analogue and digital telephone connections.
The universal service in telecommunications will continue to be provided by Swisscom in the future; ComCom has awarded it the licence for the period 2008-1017. This licence will enter into force on 1 January next year. It will continue to be Swisscom’s responsibility to guarantee all sections of the population a basic telecommunication service offering which is subject to a price cap and a specific level of quality. In particular, the universal service in Switzerland will incorporate a broadband internet connection, with a 600 / 100 kbit/s transmission speed. This is worldwide unique.
Swisscom has refrained from applying for financial compensation for the first five years of the licence. However, it may ask for such compensation for the following years. ComCom would then examine a potential application and determine the compensation based on the effective costs.
What is the universal service?
The universal service consists of the basic telecommunication services which must be of good quality and available throughout the country at reasonable prices. Such basic services include, for example, the public telephone service, the data transmission service, access to the emergency services, an adequate provision of public telephones (public callboxes) or special services for disabled people. The universal service therefore ensures from the outset that any possible regional or social disadvantage does not prevent access to this most fundamental means of social communication. It is within the remit of the Federal Council to adapt the content of the universal service periodically according to social and economic needs as well as technological developments.
ComCom is obliged by the Swiss Telecommunications Law to periodically put the licence for universal service out to tender and to award it on the basis of a competition judged on specific criteria.
In September 2006, the Federal Council decided to adapt the content of the universal service on 1 January 2008, with particular regard to the following (see DETEC press release dated 13.09.2006):
Broadband
The connections provided as part of the universal service will be complemented by a new type of connection enabling connection to the internet at a minimum transmission speed of 600 / 100 kbit/s.
Additional services for the disabled
The new features of the universal service include the possibility, for persons with limited mobility, of using the directory and switching service as well as a short message (SMS) relay service for use by the hearing impaired.
Removal of various services
The directory enquiry service, call diversion and advice of charge will no longer be part of the universal service.
Address for enquiries
Marc Furrer, President ComCom, Secretariat of ComCom, +41 (0)31 323 52 90
Publisher
Federal Communications Commission ComCom
http://www.comcom.admin.ch/
