Federal government gigabit strategy

The Swiss population should have nationwide access to very fast internet. That is the goal being pursued by the Federal Council through its gigabit strategy. In terms of implementation, it is proposing a funding programme to support the expansion of the broadband network beyond urban centres. The programme requires a new legal basis so the Federal Council has instructed DETEC to draw up a bill for consultation.

The aim is to prevent a digital divide between urban and rural areas, strengthen peripheral regions and structurally weak areas, and improve their appeal as a business location. The main aim of the strategy is to ensure, as far as possible, that homes and businesses throughout the country are connected to the Internet by cable with a bandwidth of at least 1 gigabit per second (Gbit/s). The aim of the support programme is to stimulate private investment through public contributions in areas where, despite demand, a 1 Gbit/s speed cannot be provided and where no extension is expected in the long term due to lack of profitability.

A reliable broadband infrastructure is needed in all regions so that the population and economy throughout Switzerland can benefit from digitalisation. High-performance and reliable broadband networks are the backbone of digitalisation.

• On 8 December 2023, the Federal Council instructed DETEC to prepare a bill for consultation by the end of 2024.
• Dispatch to the Federal Assembly: expected 2025/2026
  
• Parliamentary consultation: No deadline set

Postulate report: https://www.bakom.admin.ch/bakom/de/home/das-bakom/medieninformationen/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-96030.html

Federal Council decision of 8.12.2023: https://www.bakom.admin.ch/bakom/de/home/das-bakom/medieninformationen/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-99274.html