1. Telecommunications’ Regulatory Framework in Switzerland : Situation, Challenges & Perspectives
Hassane MAKKI, OFCOM, Switzerland
Experts’ Group meeting for Q8.1 (ITU-D)
Geneva, June 2000

2. General Plan Introduction : reminder of the situation before 1998
1 - Legal and institutional Framework
2 - Tasks of the OFCOM
3 - « Telecom PTT » Operator
4 - Balance and transient measures
I - Present Situation : Total Liberalization since 1998
1 - New Regulatory Framework
2 - Legal Framework
3 - Institutional Framework
II - Challenges
III - Perspectives
Useful Information

3. I - Introduction 1 - Legal and Institutional Framework
Legal Framework :
Law on Telecommunications (LTC of ) : coming into force : April 1992
Ordinances (CF, DFTCE, OFCOM, etc.)
Institutional Framework :
Creation of the OFCOM (April 1992), new regulatory Authority in charge of application of two laws : LTC (Telecom) et LRTV (Radio-TV)
OFCOM integrated in the DFTCE (Ministry)

4. I - Introduction 2 - Task of the OFCOM
Data transmission services
User’s equipment : technical specification & type approval by the OFCOM
Accreditation of test laboratories de test for technical conformity (others than the one of « Telecom PTT »)
Frequency Management &Attribution

5. I - Introduction 3 - « Telecom PTT » Operator
Monopoly of « Telecom PTT » on infrastructures and voice telephony service
Exception : voice telephony service for “Closed Users Group”
Monopoly of « Telecom PTT » on leased lines services
Monopoly on mobiles services (NMT & GSM)
Frequency Monitoring & Frequency Assignment

6. I - Introduction 4 - Balance & Transient Measures
Balance : market of user’s Equipment
More choice to the users
Price’s decrease
Transient Measures for total liberalization : provisional licenses for test purposes
Internet access through CATV networks
> 30 licenses granted

7. I - Total Liberalization 1 - New Regulatory Framework
Refounding of the juridical instruments
New Law and Ordinances
Creation of a new Regulatory Authority (RA-1)
ComCom (Federal Commission for Communication) : ==> independence
Restructuring/Reorganization of the OFCOM (RA-2) : stills in charge of application of two laws : LTC (Telecommunications) & LRTV (Radio-TV)
Privatization of Swisscom (former “Telecom PTT”)

8. I - Total Liberalization 2 - Legal Framework 2a - Law on Telecommunications
CH.1: General Provisions
Scope, Objet & Definitions
CH.2: Telecommunications Services
Licenses, Universal Service, etc.
CH.3: Wireless Communications
Licenses, Frequency Management, etc.
CH.4: Addressing Resources
CH.5: Telecommunications’ Installations
CH.6 : Fees
CH.7 : Statistics of Telecommunications
CH.8 : Important National Interests
CH.9 : Penal Provisions
CH.10 : ComCom (Authority)
Status, Independence, Competencies, etc.
CH.11 : Supervisory and Appeal
CH.12 : Final & Transient Provisions

9. I - Total Liberalization 2 - Legal Framework 2b - Ordinances (Decrees) of the Federal Council (Government)
O. Telecommunications Services
O. Frequency management & Licenses for Wireless Communications
O. Addressing Resources
O. Telecommunications Installations
O. Fees
O. Supervisory (Post & Telecommunications)

10. I - Total Liberalization 3 - Institutional Framework 3a - ComCom : Competencies of RA-1
Granting of licenses : Public tender, Universal Service, GSM ..
Decisions related to interconnection
Approval of national plan frequency attribution and the numbering plans
Supervisory Measurements
Ordinance : CSC, NP & delegation of some competencies to the OFCOM (RA-2)

11. II - Total Liberalization 3 - Institutional Framework 3b - OFCOM : Competencies of RA-2
Decisions Preparations to the ComCom (RA-1)
Granting of licenses without public tender & licenses for wireless communications
Instructions of procedures for interconnection & conciliation between parties
Frequency Management & attribution of Addressing Resources
Type approval & market control of installations

12. II - Total Liberalization 3 - Institutional Framework 3c - Relationship ComCom / OFCOM
DETEC
ComCom
Directives
Supervisory
51%
OFCOM
Swisscom
OFCOM : 250 full-time employees in the Federal Administration ; ComCom : 6 part-time employees
DETEC : Federal Department for Environment, Transports, Energy & Communication

13. Administrative Appeal
II - Total Liberalization 3 - Institutional Framework 3d - Other Concerned Authorities
Federal Court
Administrative Appeal
DETEC
ComCom
Appeal Commission
Directives
Supervisory
51%
OFCOM
Swisscom

14. II - Challenges (1/2) Interconnection
Costs Complaints, in particular related to LRIC (Long Run Incremental Costs)
Advise of Charge
Display of CLI (Calling Line Identification)
Number Portability
Local Loop Unbundling

15. II - Challenges (2/2) Y2k (the bug of year 2000)
Digital Signature (Electronic Commerce)
Directories
Change of numbers following the closed numbering plan (9 digits numbers)
Convergence
Information Society
. .

16. III - Perspectives
WLL (Wireless Local Loop) : user’s wireless connection
48 licenses under auction bidding rule (3 on the national level + 5 per area (x 9 areas)
Auctions between February and May 2000
Universal Service
: National license granted for 5 years to Swisscom without compensation
License(s) granting for 2003
Mobiles Services (UMTS) : public tender in 2001

17. Useful Information OFCOM Homepage http://www.bakom.ch ComCom Homepage
OFCOM Address
Office fédéral de la communication
44, rue de l‘Avenir
CH Bienne, Suisse T: F:
ComCom Address
Commission fédérale de la communication
Marktgasse 9
CH Berne, Suisse T: F: