Fiber optic expansion: Swisscom is once again the target of Weko News

• The Comco (Competition Commission) sees a credible risk that Swisscom will be excluded from the competition in the construction of the fiber optic network.
• There is a risk that Swisscom will abuse its dominant position.
• The “blue giant” cannot understand the accusations.

According to the statement from Weko, “with immediate effect, it prohibits Swisscom, with precautionary measures, from denying access to continuous lines to competitors by expanding the fiber optic network.”

Swisscom defends itself against the Comco accusations and will file a complaint against these measures. Swisscom aims to double the number of fiber optic connections in homes and businesses to three 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 the construction of the network in areas where Swisscom is expanding on its own. Therefore, the telecom group’s competitors would no longer have direct access to the network infrastructure, writes Weko.

“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 product variety, ”writes Weko.