Swisscom suffers defeat in fiber optic dispute before Federal Court
Swisscom is defeated in a ruling by the Federal Court. The telco is not allowed to expand its fiber-optic network with a new technology for the time being.
A complaint by Swisscom against a Ruling of the Federal Administrative Court of 2021 was rejected by the Federal Court. Originally, Swisscom's strategy was to no longer rely on a four-fiber model for the expansion of the fiber-optic network, but to lay a so-called single-fiber model with a tree structure.
However, this would have denied the other telecommunications providers physical access to fiber optic lines between Swisscom's access center and the connection of individual subscribers.
In February 2020, Winterthur-based telecommunications provider Init7 filed a complaint with the Weko when Swisscom announced its new strategy for expanding its fiber-optic network.
According to sources from "inside-it.ch"Swisscom must pay the costs of the proceedings in the amount of CHF 10,000. In addition, the telco must meet Init7 with a party compensation in the amount of 10,000 francs.
Init7 welcomes the ruling, it says in a communication of the competitor. However, Swisscom is expected "to finally comply with the Cartel Act". The main proceedings at the Comco are still pending.
Source: Editorial office/SRF
