Your switch to optical fibre:
Start the digital future with optical fibre access
With the optical fibre expansion, your Internet connection will be switched from copper to optical fibre. Find out here quickly and clearly how the switch will be carried out.
Important
this information applies to customers whose connection is automatically switched to optical fibre. If you were not redirected directly to this page by your provider, different switching conditions apply. Further information can be found at:
Why optical fibre?
The rapidly advancing rolling out of the fibre-optic network allows Swisscom to gradually switch off the old copper access network. We are optimising our network for a future-proof Switzerland.
More bandwidth for Switzerland’s needs
Optical fibre offers lightning-fast Internet that is perfectly tailored to today’s requirements. Whether working from home, streaming movies, videoconferences or online gaming, optical fibre guarantees a seamless and uninterrupted experience for all customers, both now and in the future.
Focus on sustainability
Optical fibre can send data over much greater distances without the need for signal boosters.
By replacing our 150-year-old copper access network with optical fibre, we can save around 100GWh of electricity per year, which is roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of a city of 20,000 inhabitants.”
Ready for the future
Fibre-optic technology forms the basis of current requirements and will be the basis for future applications that require high data transmission speeds. By expanding optical fibre, we are helping to secure competitiveness and prosperity in Switzerland.
How the switch works
Completion of construction work
your property will be connected to the fibre-optic network by our external partner. You can find out about the scheduled completion of this work at www.swisscom.ch/checker
Contact us and make an appointment
you need a fibre-optic socket in your apartment/business building. Our external installation partners will contact you a few days after successful removal for the installation date of your fibre-optic socket.
Installing the fibre-optic socket
installation of the fibre-optic socket is carried out by our external installation partner. This requires access to your apartment/business building. Please ensure that this is guaranteed on the jointly agreed installation date.
The switch to fiber optics can be made
The switch to fiber optics can be made as soon as you have received the necessary material from your Internet provider and the fiber optic socket has been installed.
Your new optical fibre experience
Your existing copper connection will as a rule be disconnected shortly after the installation of the fibre-optic socket. To enable you to use your subscribed services as usual, please ensure that you switch to optical fibre in good time.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Why is the transition from copper to optical fibre being implemented?
By building the fibre-optic network, we are helping to ensure competitiveness and prosperity in Switzerland. After more than 150 years, the potential of the copper access network has been exhausted. Optical fibre offers super-fast Internet speeds, more bandwidth and a more stable connection.
The existing copper access network will be decommissioned after the optical fibre expansion has been completed.
Due to the decommissioning of the old copper access network, a transition to optical fibre is absolutely necessary in order to be able to continue using the associated services such as Internet, TV and fixed network telephony.
Which products are affected by this transition to optical fibre?
The transition will affect your so-called fixed network services with your Internet and telephone provider. Fixed network services refer to communications and Internet services provided over physical lines (copper or optical fibre). As a rule, these are Internet incl. WLAN, TV and fixed network telephony.
What does it take to switch to optical fibre?
In order to switch to optical fibre technology, your building must first be connected with optical fibre. The relevant connection date for your property can be found on our website www.swisscom.ch/fiber. As soon as your property has an optical fibre connection, your apartment/office building will need a fibre-optic socket, which will be installed by our external installation partners. In addition, you will need an optical fibre router from your Internet service provider to complete the transition.
How much does the optical fibre connection and the fibre-optic socket cost?
The fibre-optic socket is generally installed by Swisscom free of charge. If you are the owner, the conditions for connecting the building and apartment have already been agreed with you on the basis of the fibre-optic connection contract.
If the planned fibre-optic socket location does not suit you and you wish to install a fibre- optic socket in another room, this can be done by means of an extension. The costs of an extension will not be borne by Swisscom – your electrician will be happy to provide you with a quote.
Where is the socket installed?
In most cases, the installation location of the fibre-optic socket has already been determined with the owner. It is located where the copper socket is currently installed, in the home multimedia distributor or in the living room. If the planned fibre-optic socket location does not suit you and you wish to install a fibre-optic socket in another room, this can be done by means of an extension. The costs of an extension will not be borne by Swisscom – your electrician will be happy to provide you with a quote.
What is the difference between copper and optical fibre?
Copper and optical fibre differ fundamentally in the transmission technology and its features. Copper cables transmit data via electrical signals and have shaped telephone and Internet connections for decades. However, they are limited in terms of speed and bandwidth. Optical fibre, on the other hand, uses light pulses to transmit data and offers high speeds in the gigabit range. This technology enables greater bandwidth and more reliable signal quality over long distances without electromagnetic disturbance. Optical fibre is also more robust and less susceptible to environmental influences, making it the preferred choice for modern communications infrastructure.
I am not a Swisscom customer and have questions about the switch to optical fibre
If you are not a Swisscom customer and have questions about the switch to optical fibre, we recommend that you contact your provider directly. They will provide you with the information and support you need.
Changeover process for Swisscom customers
How is the switch from copper to optical fibre planned?
Shortly before the optical fibre expansion is complete, you will receive detailed information on the switch from copper to optical fibre. The switch will be initiated directly by Swisscom – you don’t have to worry about anything. Once the expansion is complete, an external installation partner will contact you to arrange a personal appointment to install your fibre-optic socket. On the agreed date, the external installation partner needs access to your apartment/business building to carry out the installation. Before this date, we will send you the material you need to switch to optical fibre by post. Once the fibre-optic socket is installed, you can carry out the switch yourself according to the instructions provided.
All settings for WLAN, TV, Internet and fixed network telephony are automatically applied.
By whom and when will I be contacted concerning the installation of the fibre-optic socket?
You will be contacted by one of our external installation partners to arrange an appointment for the installation of the fibre-optic socket. This will be done soon after completion of the expansion.
Please check in the Swisscom customer portal whether your current telephone number is stored in your account. If this is not the case, please update it immediately in the Swisscom customer portal.
Do I have to be present when the fibre-optic socket is installed?
Yes, it is necessary that you or someone else is present during the installation. The external installation partner needs access to your apartment/business building to complete the installation within half a day and ensure that the fibre-optic cable is working properly.
Do I need a new router and do I have to pay anything towards it?
No, you do not need to buy a new router. Depending on your individual situation, Swisscom will provide you with either a new router, a fibre-optic module for insertion into your current router or a fibre-optic cable free of charge. This means that you always have the correct equipment you need for the switch at no additional cost.
Do I need new fibre-optic-compatible devices such as fixed-line telephones, TV-Boxes, etc.?
No, new devices are not required. The devices currently connected to your current router also work flawlessly with the optical-fibre based router. All settings for WLAN, TV and fixed network telephony are automatically applied, so you can continue to use your existing devices with ease. However, it may only be necessary to reconnect the handsets of your DECT phones ( cordless fixed-line telephones) as these settings cannot be transferred automatically.
Who will install the new router?
You can very easily install a new router or module yourself by following the instructions provided. The instructions can also be found in your MySwisscom customer portal or here.
All settings for WLAN, TV, Internet and fixed network telephony are automatically applied. If you need assistance with the switch or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team: residential customers should contact 0800 800 800 and business customers should contact 0800 055 055, so that we can help you quickly and effectively.
How long do I have to start using the new router?
Your existing copper connection will be disconnected four weeks after the installation of the fibre-optic socket. To enable you to use your subscribed services as usual, please ensure that you switch to optical fibre in good time.
Do I have to reprogram all router settings such as LAN and WLAN?
No, all settings for WLAN, TV, Internet and fixed network telephony are automatically applied. However, it may be necessary to reconnect the handsets of your DECT phones (cordless fixed-line telephones) as these settings cannot be transferred automatically.
What can I do if there are problems during activation?
If there are problems switching to the fibre-optic network, first check that the router has been installed according to our instructions. If the services still do not work, we will be happy to assist you: residential customers should contact 0800 800 800 and business customers should contact 0800 055 055, so that we can help you quickly and effectively.
Will I now pay more for my Swisscom subscription following the switch to optical fibre?
No, switching to optical fibre will not result in higher costs for your Swisscom subscription. The price structure remains the same regardless of the connection technology. As a rule, you can continue to use your existing product without making any changes.Thanks to the fibre-optic network, however, you now have the option of switching to a faster Internet subscription with up to 10 Gbit/s.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to switch to a new Internet product when your product is no longer offered, which may result in cost changes. However, this change has nothing to do with the switch to optical fibre. If you are affected by this, Swisscom will contact you directly.
How can I benefit from more bandwidth and speed?
Thanks to the fibre-optic network, you now have the option of switching to a faster Internet subscription with a bandwidth of up to 10 Gbit/s. If necessary, you can find out about the latest products and offers in the Swisscom Customer Center or seek advice from our staff on the Swisscom hotline and in the shop.
What happens if I do not make the switch?
If you do not switch to the fibre-optic network, we will unfortunately no longer be able to provide you with our services once the existing copper access network has been switched off. Switching to optical fibre is crucial so that you can continue to use our services reliably and in the usual quality. Don’t worry, switching to the fibre-optic network does not incur any costs for installing the fibre-optic socket or for the necessary equipment. Swisscom will of course also support you in the event of any problems with the putting into service of the new devices.
Why is Swisscom switching to optical fibre
The 150-year-old copper access network will be decommissioned shortly after optical fibre expansion has been completed. This technological change is taking place across Europe.
Due to the decommissioning of the copper access network, a transition to optical fibre is absolutely necessary in order to be able to continue using your existing services such as Internet, TV and fixed network telephony. Swisscom has the contractual freedom to determine the connection technology for the provision of its services itself. This allows it to always offer the best available solution to meet the needs of its clients.
If you need assistance with the switch or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team: residential customers should contact 0800 800 800 and business customers should contact 0800 055 055, so that we can help you quickly and effectively.