Broadband in peripheral regions: 365 million from Bern (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• 365 million francs allocated by the government
• Resources distributed over an eight-year period
• Coverage extended to the entire national territory
• Universal service brought to 80 Mbps from 2024

Key facts

• What : Ultra Broadband Bill
• When: ITER started in 2016, updated in 2023 and 2024
• Where: Swiss Confederation and outlying regions
• Who: Federal Council and Federal Chambers
• Amount: CHF 365 million

The Federal Council has decided to implement with a specific proposal for a law the cantonal initiative originally presented by the national socialist councilor Bruno Storni, entitled 'Guaranteeing a widespread offer of ultra-broadband services throughout the national territory'. The announcement was made by Bruno Storni himself through a post on the Facebook social platform, highlighting the arrival of positive news directly from Bern for digital connectivity in Switzerland. The total appropriation budgeted by the federal government amounts to 365 million francs, a figure that will be gradually spread and disbursed over eight years to support the less densely populated areas of the country.

Origins of the cantonal initiative

The measure has its roots in a cantonal initiative formalized in Ticino in 2015, which made an explicit request for widespread coverage of ultra-broadband services extended to the entire Swiss national territory.

Operational details

The technological and regulatory evolution linked to this digitisation plan has seen fundamental milestones in recent years. Already in 2023, the federal authorities adopted the so-called 'Gigabit Strategy', a programmatic approach aimed at guaranteeing a connection speed of at least 1 Gbit/s in download through the fixed network connections available in the territory. At the same time, following the long parliamentary process, the Confederation has decided to increase the level of mandatory universal service to 80 Mbps from 2024. This technical threshold currently places the Swiss network among the highest levels internationally in terms of the provision of basic telecommunications infrastructure.

The current legislative process

The transformation of the cantonal initiative into an organic law text represents the next crucial institutional step. The regulatory package prepared by the Federal Council is now submitted to the formal examination of the Federal Chambers, which will have to debate, evaluate and possibly approve the operational and financial details of the measure before its definitive entry into force in the Swiss regulatory system.

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Key points

For citizens, residents, businesses and professionals who work daily in the peripheral and rural regions of Switzerland, the advancement of this bill represents a decisive step towards reducing the digital divide compared to large urban centres. The use of the 365 million francs allocated by the federal government will allow the strengthening of fixed and mobile network infrastructures in territories characterized by lower population densities or particular morphological difficulties. Those who reside or work outside the main urban centres will gradually benefit from more stable, faster internet connections aligned with the parameters of the aforementioned 'Gigabit Strategy'.

Next institutional steps

With the passage of the dossier to the consideration of the Federal Chambers, the debate now moves to the parliamentary level. No immediate or bureaucratic fulfilments by individual users or local companies are required at this stage of legislative transition. To learn more about the economic impact and costs of living related to infrastructure and services in different Swiss geographies, see costo della vita.

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Source: tio.ch