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Swiss govt plans telecom law reforms
2014-11-19 16:19:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) Switzerland's Federal Council has adopted a report on proposed changes to telecom policy in the country. The biannual report confirms the state as the main shareholder in Swisscom, as well as addressing a number of issues such as high roaming prices, consumer protection, the growing number of players in the telecom market and encouraging broadband investment. Planned amendments to the Telecommunications Law aim to bring down the high cost of roaming in neighbouring countries. Although Swiss prices have fallen, they are still higher than elsewhere in Europe. While the council rejected imposing price caps like in the EU, it plans to require operators to offer 'local break out', where mobile customers can choose an alternative provider when roaming abroad. In addition, all providers will have to offer per-second billing. For operators, the council proposes revising existing legislation to make it more clear which players are subject to the Telecommunications Act. Players who market comparable offerings must be subject to comparable rights and obligations. The communications regulator Bakom will also be given more powers to intervene when it identifies violations of the Telecommunications Act, notably for termination charges and interconnection fees for 058 numbers. In order to encourage further expansion of high-speed broadband, a broadly drafted right to access passive physical infrastructure such as cable ducts will be enshrined in law.
Tags: law
plans
telecom
swiss
Category:Telecommunications