Chronicle
Swisscom Broadcast has been keeping you securely connected in any situation for 20 years.
Discover a fascinating journey from the launch of digital cable TV, the discontinuation
of terrestrial television to the merger with Swisscom Event & Media Solutions.
Founding of Swisscom Broadcast Ltd
2002
On 1 January 2002, Swisscom Ltd moved its radio and TV broadcasting services from the fixed network sector – Swisscom Broadcast Ltd was born.
First digital terrestrial television
in the canton of Ticino
2003
The canton of Ticino is the pioneer of digital terrestrial television. In 2003, DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial) is introduced in Italian-speaking Switzerland. The first milestone in the replacement of analogue television is reached. In 2006, Swisscom Broadcast further expands the digital radio network on behalf of SRG SSR.
Digital cable television rollout
2004
In April 2004, Swisscom Broadcast offers digital television DVB-C to cable television network operators. DVB-C (Digital Video Broadcasting – Cable) technology enables the reception of digital television signals via cable connection.
Acquisition of cable network
operator Tele Rätia AG
2004
Founded in 1980, Tele Rätia AG (TRAG) was responsible for television coverage in the canton of Graubünden. In 2004, Swisscom Broadcast acquired Tele Rätia AG and merged it into a subsidiary, retaining the "teleraetia" brand name for the TV product. In 2018, Swisscom discontinues the teleraetia product; the service is no longer profitable with DVB-T technology due to changing customer needs.
Discontinuation of analogue
terrestrial television
2007
At the end of 2007, SRG SSR ceases analogue terrestrial broadcasting of television programmes. Anyone who still has an indoor or outdoor aerial must retune it or add a decoder to maintain access to digital television.
Transmission of all audio and video
signals for the UEFA EURO championship
2008
31 matches, 77 goal celebrations and two host countries: Swisscom Broadcast transmits all audio and video signals from the football stadiums in Switzerland and Austria to the International Broadcasting Center (IBC) in Vienna at EURO 2008. All images are compiled, processed and distributed to the world from there.
Discontinuation of medium-wave
broadcasting
2008
On 11 June 1931, the first radio transmission by medium wave (AM) started in Switzerland with the Beromünster national transmitter. As a result of technological development and the introduction of short wave (SW) and ultrashort wave (USW), medium wave was gradually replaced. In 2008, two of the four Swiss medium-wave transmitters, Monte Ceneri and Beromünster, are finally switched off. The last transmitter in Sottens is decommissioned at midnight on 31 December 2010 – ending the era of Switzerland’s first radio broadcasting technology.
Development of DAB+ network
2009
Swisscom Broadcast develops the DAB+ network for SRG and SwissMediaCast. SwissMediaCast complements the SRG offering that has been on the air for a while. In 2014, the expansion of the DAB+ network for Romandie Médias SA in French-speaking Switzerland follows.
Construction of the first photovoltaic
plant on the Uetliberg
2009
As a pioneer in the telecoms industry, Swisscom Broadcast builds its first photovoltaic plant at the Uetliberg transmitter site in the canton of Zurich, with an average annual production of around 3200 kWh.
Product launch of IPTV and
WebTV as a Service
2010
From 2006, Swisscom Broadcast supports Swisscom with encoding and channel selections for Swisscom TV. 2010 sees the launch of two new products, IPTV and WebTV-as-a-Service. The two services are aimed specifically at cable network operators and Internet service providers who resell the TV product to their customers.
POLYCOM
2011
Swisscom Broadcast was awarded the contract for the maintenance of the Swiss POLYCOM radio network from various police corps and the Border Guard Corps in February 2011.
Acquisition of Dallmeier video systems
2015
On 1 November 2015, Swisscom Broadcast takes over distribution of Dallmeier video systems for Switzerland from Divinet GmbH. This expands the product portfolio for video surveillance with products that are already established on the market.
Introduction of Low Power Network
2016
In October 2016, Swisscom Broadcast launches the Low Power Network (LPN), a supplementary network for the Internet of Things (IoT). The LPN is ideal for transmitting small amounts of data and requires very little energy.
Construction of the St. Chrischona
photovoltaic plant
2017
In October 2017, Swisscom Broadcast’s largest photovoltaic system is installed on the St. Chrischona transmission tower, the tallest free-standing structure in Switzerland. The annual production of the new system is around 115,000 kilowatt hours, which corresponds to the energy required by approximately 30 average households in Switzerland in one year. The electricity is primarily used for the broadcasting site’s own needs, with the remaining electricity flowing into the Basel electrical network.
Introduction of remote monitoring
on the Säntis
2017
Thanks to the new remote control and monitoring of the transmitter on Säntis, the site no longer needs to be manned 24/7. The last shift ends on 31 December 2017. Since the construction of the first transmission tower on Säntis in 1956, the transmitter has been monitored around the clock by at least two people. At peak times, four people were permanently stationed on the summit at 2,500 metres above sea level.
Video intelligence makes
the invisible visible.
2017
Video surveillance brings more security to the retail trade and video analysis reveals hidden business potential. The new Video Insider solution combines video intelligence for security and business into one platform – easily available as a service, flexible and, of course, highly secure.
Detonation of the La Dole
transmission tower
2018
In May 2018, the 122 m high transmission tower is blown up for ecological reasons – the new transmission tower is already in operation. The old La Dole transmission tower has provided the Lake Geneva region with radio and TV programmes since 1958.
Drone Spotter product launch
2019
In 2019, Swisscom Broadcast expands its portfolio with the Drone Spotter product to help businesses and communities protect themselves from unmanned aerial objects. The modular solution is designed to detect, track and monitor drones and help prevent malicious intrusions.
DVB-T switch-off
2019
After decades of service, terrestrial television is switched off by the SRG on 3 June 2019. From this date, access to public television via an aerial is no longer possible and television programmes are broadcast via cable (DVB-C), satellite (DVB-S) or IP-TV.
Merger of Swisscom Event & Media
Solutions with Swisscom Broadcast Ltd
2019
On 1 June 2019, the two Swisscom subsidiaries Swisscom Broadcast Ltd and Event & Media Solutions merged to form Swisscom Broadcast Ltd. Following the merger, Swisscom Broadcast’s workforce increased to 300 employees and its portfolio expanded to include event ICT, streaming media, content delivery and event management services.
Introduction of Push-to-Talk over Mobile
2021
In 2021 and in cooperation with Swisscom Switzerland, Swisscom Broadcast launches Push-to-Talk as an optional addition to NATEL® go. Push-to-Talk is aimed at business-critical customers and guarantees perfect communication in the event of mobile network congestion.
