Swisscom to double Internet speed
The federal government wants to strengthen consumer protection online: The price of a service ordered online must be displayed where the user must click to accept the offer. In addition, Swisscom is to be required to double its internet speeds.
In the universal service, the download rate is currently at least 1000 kbit/s, the upload rate 100 kbit/s. The new speed is to be 2000/200 kbit/s, for which Swisscom may charge a maximum of CHF 55 per month plus VAT, as before. Furthermore, telecommunications providers are no longer to be allowed to charge additional costs on top of the stated prices. One of the aims is to ensure that calls to 0800 numbers are actually free of charge, regardless of whether they are made from a cell phone or a fixed line.
Hearing opened
The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) wants to define these new regulations with various amendments to the ordinance, for which the hearing was opened on Thursday. These include the fact that smaller providers of telecommunications services no longer have to register with Bakom under certain conditions.
A further draft revision concerns the ".ch" Internet domain. Until March 2015, the domain names of the country code domain will be marketed by the Switch foundation and simultaneously administered on behalf of Bakom. Internationally, the separation of the two functions has now become established. The mandate is therefore to be put out to tender again. The model is also to apply to the new generic domain ".swiss", for which the Confederation has applied and which is to be managed directly by Bakom. Applicants for domain names on ".swiss" must have a direct and special connection to Switzerland. Bakom cites umbrella organizations as an example. Companies can also apply for a ".swiss" domain, but they must be domiciled in Switzerland or have a special connection to Switzerland.
