[ad_1]
Swisscom is once again the target of the Federal Competition Commission (WEKO). Swisscom announced on December 17, 2020 that it opened an investigation into the expansion of fiber optics and took precautionary measures.
WEKO sees the risk that Swisscom will foreclose market competitors in the construction of the fiber optic network, the competition regulator wrote in a message. It seems credible ‘that Swisscom is abusing a dominant position in the market with this behavior. That is why WEKO is taking precautionary measures to prohibit Swisscom from rejecting access to continuous lines when expanding the fiber optic network. “
Swisscom defends itself against WEKO’s allegations and will file a complaint against the precautionary measures. One could not understand WEKO’s accusations, wrote the “blue giant” in. Swisscom aims to double the number of fiber optic connections in homes and businesses to 3 million by the end of 2025.
Network architecture change
The argument revolves around the architecture of the fiber optic network. For future expansion, the largest Swiss telecommunications group is primarily moving fiber optic connections from the highway hub to homes and businesses. This section from the axis of the road to the houses and shops is still covered by copper lines today.
WEKO places a change in network construction in areas where Swisscom is expanding on its own. Therefore, the telecoms group’s competitors would no longer have direct access to the network infrastructure, WEKO wrote.
“With this, Swisscom is changing the existing market structure and presumably restricting innovation and business opportunities for its competitors. As a result, end customers may be restricted in their choice of suppliers and the variety of products, ”WEKO wrote.
