Fibre-optic expansion
On this page:
Learn more about the fibre-optic expansion in your area and the different fibre-optic technologies available.
Check fibre-optic expansion
We continuously extend the fibre-optic network and improve Internet speeds for our customers. You can check online if an expansion is planed near you in the next 12 months or so:
You can check whether the fibre-optic network is going to be expanded near you at www.swisscom.ch/checker. This will also show the Internet speed that will then be available at your location. If you want to receive updates on the expansion, you can register there and we will notify you as soon as there is news about the network expansion in your area. If no additional information is displayed on your account then no expansion is currently planned for your location.
Types of expansion
My Swisscom (Customer Center) displays details of whether your location is going to be included in the expansion of new and faster Internet technology. My Swisscom will list one of the following options for your area:
- “Coming up in just a few weeks. Better service for you soon. The locations between X and Y will be expanded with fibre-optic technology.”
- “Coming up in just a few months. Better service for you. The locations between X and Y will be expanded with fibre optics.
- Did you know? We are expanding the network in your area. The locations between X and Y will be expanded with new technology.”
What does this type of expansion mean?
- New technology (FTTC - Fibre To The Curb)
Swisscom takes the optical fibre cable to your property’s kerb or driveway. The section to your property/premises will still use the previous copper line. Swisscom can achieve bandwidths of up to 100 Mbit/s with the new technology.
- Fibre-optic technology (FTTB/S – Fibre To The Building/Street)
Swisscom takes the optical fibre cable right to your cellar or street. The section to your property/premises will continue to use the existing copper line. Swisscom can achieve bandwidths of up to 500 Mbit/s with fibre-optic technology.
- Fibre optics (FTTH – Fibre to the Home)
Swisscom takes the fibre optic network right into your home or office. This optical fibre cable enables data transfer rates of up to 10 Gbit/s.
- Convergent technologies
By combining fixed and mobile networks, Swisscom allows you to enjoy a surfing speed of up to 600 Mbit/s.
More speed
New FTTH technology permits speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. To date, Swisscom has connected 5.26 million homes and offices throughout Switzerland. Just under 30% of these have been upgraded to FTTH.
Requirements for 10 Gbit/s:
- FTTH must be available in your area.
- You must have an blue Internet L / inOne SME Business Internet L subscription.
- You must use an Internet-Box 3 or Internet-Box 4.
- The fibre optic module is connected to Internet-Box 3.
Would you like to switch to speeds of 10 Gbit/s? Check in the availability checker whether your location is developed for this speed and can provide enough power for your connection.
Schedule
Unfortunately we cannot provide an exact expansion date at the start of the work. If technical difficulties occur during construction or there are objections from the community or property owners, it can lead to delays in network expansion. As expansion progresses we will be able to estimate the completion date more accurately.
FAQs
How can I enjoy 10 Gbps connection speeds at home?
You will need an Internet Box 4 or Internet-Box 3 in order to enjoy fibre-optic connection speeds of 10 Gbps.The table below shows all the Internet-Box 3 or Internet-Box 4 connection options for your devices, together with the maximum achievable upload and download rates for each type of connection.
How can I measure the Internet speed?
Unsure if your Internet is working properly? Check how to measure your Internet speed:
My Swisscom app:
The My Swisscom app shows you the current performance speed and gives you practical tips for increasing it.
Measure Internet speed
Web portal of the Internet-Box
Internet-Box web portal: you can also measure the speed between the Internet-Box and the Internet in your Internet-Box web portal. To do this, enter 192.168.1.1 in the browser field or https://internetbox.home and perform a speed test. Please note that you only have access to the Web portal when your home network is connected to your Internet-Box.
What should I watch out for with conventional speed tests?
Note that with a browser-based speed test such as Speedtest.net, the values measured are heavily dependent on the browser. Swisscom therefore recommends testing via the My Swisscom app or the web portal of the Internet-Box. If you would still like to use one of these speed tests, do the following to maximise accuracy:
- Install the latest version of your browser.
- Close all other programs.
- Connect your computer to the router with the network cable.
- Switch off your TV-Box (if present).
Why am I not receiving the full 10 Gbit/s?
The speed that can be achieved when using a service on your smartphone, PC, tablet etc. depends on two factors:
- The connection between your device and the Internet-Box.
The performance of this connection can be improved by optimising your home network (for example, by using the latest CAT 6 cables, faster switches and WLAN boxes). In the end, however, the device will be limited by the maximum speed it is able to achieve – many older laptops, for example, will only be able to achieve speeds of 100 Mbit/s over the Ethernet interface.
- The connection between your Internet-Box and the Internet destination
As well as your Internet subscription, your Internet performance also depends on other factors, such as network congestion. If you want to download a file from the servers of an online storage service provider, for example, and that service provider only provides 10 Mbit/s bandwidth for the download, the perceived performance is only 10 Mbit/s, although your line could reach much higher speeds.
Also note that some of the data (approximately 15%) is there to ensure transmission quality. This reserved bandwidth cannot be used to transmit content (such as photos, movies or music). 8 Gbit/s is the maximum usable speed for all devices in the home network together (including WLAN).
The maximum achievable speed for one device over the fastest Ethernet connection (Internet-Box 4) is 8 Gbit/s. When uploading and downloading simultaneously, the speed may be limited to 6 Gbit/s.
What is the maximum speed that could be measured by an external speed test for a 10 Gbit/s fibre connection?
Even with the fastest Internet subscription, the speed will always be limited by the capacity of the home network and the device on which the measurement is made.
For example, an older computer that is connected correctly to the Internet-Box by an Ethernet cable and is included in the 10 Gbit/s subscription will only be able to achieve the data transfer speeds that its Ethernet port supports.
Note: The cnlab Speedtest for measuring speeds > 1 Gbit/s will be available from Q2/2020. The maximum speed that can be measured by an external speed test is 2.3 Gbit/s with an Internet-Box 3 connected to the 2.5 Gbit/s port with an Ethernet cable. When uploading and downloading simultaneously, the speed may be limited to 6 Gbit/s.
Help from the Swisscom Community
Help from the Swisscom Community
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