Swisscom must open monopoly on last mile for four years
Acht Jahre nach der Liberalisierung des Fernmeldemarktes ist nun auch die letzte Meile dem Wettbewerb geöffnet worden. Die Einigungskonferenz von National- und Ständerat hat sich am Dienstag früh auf einen Kompromiss festlegen können.
Eight years after the liberalization of the telecommunications market, the last mile has now also been opened up to competition. The conciliation conference of the National Council and the Council of States reached a compromise early on Tuesday, thus saving the revision of the Telecommunications Act (TCA). Swisscom must grant its competitors access to house connections on the copper cables of the former PTT for four years. Swisscom's other infrastructure is not affected. The National Council was originally in favor of a temporary opening for two years, while the Council of States was in favor of an indefinite opening. The compromise proposal of the conciliation conference was then presented to both Councils again this morning for a final vote and both Councils agreed. If the National Council or the Council of States had not approved the compromise, the entire revision of the Telecommunications Act (TCA) would have been off the table.
In an initial reaction, Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger expressed his delight that the new TCA is now being implemented. In addition to opening up the last mile, it aims to further liberalize the telecommunications market and adopt EU standards. The new TCA also regulates requirements for companies wishing to maintain the universal service obligation, aims to improve consumer and data protection and prohibits spam by e-mail or SMS.
Swisscom's competitors Tele2 and Sunrise were quick with their statements. According to Tele2, the new TCA finally brings legal certainty and improvements in consumer protection. However, it was regretted that the opening of the last mile was limited to four years. This means that investment activity will probably be limited to the centers. The new TCA brings advantages for consumers. Consumer protection will be improved and in future there will only be one bill for all services purchased. Cablecom spokesman Stephan Howeg told SDA that after a four-year transitional period, the obligation to provide access to the last mile will trigger sustainable infrastructure competition from which consumers will also benefit.
In an initial reaction, Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger expressed his delight that the new TCA is now being implemented. In addition to opening up the last mile, it aims to further liberalize the telecommunications market and adopt EU standards. The new TCA also regulates requirements for companies wishing to maintain the universal service obligation, aims to improve consumer and data protection and prohibits spam by e-mail or SMS.
Swisscom's competitors Tele2 and Sunrise were quick with their statements. According to Tele2, the new TCA finally brings legal certainty and improvements in consumer protection. However, it was regretted that the opening of the last mile was limited to four years. This means that investment activity will probably be limited to the centers. The new TCA brings advantages for consumers. Consumer protection will be improved and in future there will only be one bill for all services purchased. Cablecom spokesman Stephan Howeg told SDA that after a four-year transitional period, the obligation to provide access to the last mile will trigger sustainable infrastructure competition from which consumers will also benefit.
