Technology

Gigabit Strategy

A reliable broadband infrastructure is required in all regions to ensure that inhabitants and businesses throughout Switzerland are able to benefit from digitalisation. With the report 'Federal Strategy for a Very High Capacity Network', the Federal Council shows how high-speed internet can also be implemented in regions in which expansion is not worthwhile for the industry. The Federal Council has tasked the DETEC with making suggestions for further action by the end of the year. It approved the 'Federal Strategy for a Very High Capacity Network' at its meeting on 28 June 2023. The report fulfils the postulate of the same name by the National Council's Transport and Telecommunications Committee.

5G and adaptive antennas

For the deployment of 5G, operators are installing new 'adaptive antennas' that transmit information specifically to individual users who therefore benefit from optimal data transmission rate. In all other directions, transmission power is reduced.

NGN

Demand exists for powerful broadband networks for the internet, mobile television and data transmission services, e.g. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) for telephone lines or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) for mobile telephony. For even greater transmission capacity, high-bandwidth next generation networks - NGNs - exist which use technologies such as DOCSIS-3 (cable television), FTTH (fibre) and LTE (Long Term Evolution) in mobile telephony.

Optical fibre and FTTH

In order to allow the development of proposed services and applications on the internet, the speed and capacity of the network have to increase continuously. Current technology will not be adequate in the long term. The deployment of optical fibre to businesses and households must respond to the challenge of tomorrow's information society. The term "Fibre To The Home" (FTTH) describes the telecommunications network which brings optical fibre to households and businesses.

Powerline Communications (PLC)

PLC is a "broadband" technology (e.g. for internet data traffic), which could compete over the "last mile" to end users with other broadband access technologies such as xDSL (broadband technology on ordinary telephone lines) and CATV (broadband technology on the TV cable network).