Telecommunications – a map of the information superhighways in Switzerland
Biel/Bienne, 14.02.2013 - For the population, the public authorities and network operators: the new, interactive broadband map shows the modern telecom network coverage situation in Switzerland. The cooperative project of the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) and the network operators is available via an internet portal which provides further information about fast data networks.
In order to enable the population, telecom operators and authorities at local, regional and federal level to obtain an overview of the current fast data network coverage situation in Switzerland, from today an interactive broadband map can be consulted on the internet. It shows, right down to each municipality, where telecoms networks and services are available.
The broadband map:
- clearly shows the information highways and illustrates the competitive situation of broadband offerings;
- shows which network operators, technologies and services are available at a given location;
- helps local and regional authorities, as well as network operators, to plan infrastructure projects;
- makes the coverage situation transparent;
- includes a zoom function with a resolution down to 250 x 250 metres;
- provides further information with links to network operators' websites.
Data
The broadband map was produced in cooperation with the network operators Energie Wasser Bern, IWB Net AG, Quickline (Finecom) and partner networks, Sunrise Communications AG, Swisscom AG, upc Cablecom and over one hundred regional and local cable operators represented by Swisscable. These operators provide the coverage data for their connections (copper, cable networks, CATV, fibre) for each building. OFCOM collects the data regularly – further updates with data from additional network operators are planned in the course of the year.
Publishers of the guide entitled "Routes to the Information Superhighway":
- Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)
- Conference of Construction, Planning and Environment Ministers
- Conference of Cantonal Economics Ministers
- Swiss Association for the Mountain Regions
- Union of Swiss Municipalities
- Union of Swiss Cities
Information platform on fast data networks
In addition to the broadband map, the internet portal provides the basics and background information on the expansion of fast data networks (high-speed broadband). The guide presented in the summer of 2012, which lists routes to the information superhighway for municipal authorities, has been updated with new case studies: for example, in addition to the innovative fibre project of the small municipality of Aetigkofen (SO) the guide also describes the new project in Grandfontaine (JU), where high bandwidths can be obtained using existing copper connections (Fibre To The Street - FTTS). Also, the use of the high-speed broadband mobile communications technology LTE in Davos (GR) is described. The fact that cable television networks can be converted to high-speed broadband networks is demonstrated by examples in Urnäsch (AR) and Entlebuch (LU).
In order that municipalities - which are also planning expansion projects - can reach contacts for consultations, suitable companies can now register on the internet portal. The corresponding list will be launched within the next months of 2013 and will then serve as a "marketplace" for the consultancy firms and interested municipalities. Scientific studies complement the information available on the high-speed broadband portal. They provide information on how the high-performance networks are being used in Switzerland.
Publishers of the guide entitled "Routes to the Information Superhighway":
- Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)
- Conference of Construction, Planning and Environment Ministers
- Conference of Cantonal Economics Ministers
- Swiss Association for the Mountain Regions
- Union of Swiss Municipalities
- Union of Swiss Cities
The broadband map and updated internet portal will be presented at a media conference on 14 February. The spoken word is definitive. The presentations are available in German, French and Italian. Please click on the desired language in the Navigation Menu.
Address for enquiries
Federal Office of Communications OFCOM
Press service, +41 58 460 55 50, media@bakom.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Office of Communications
http://www.ofcom.admin.ch
