My internet is slower than promised: what can I do in Switzerland?
Large providers must let you measure the quality of your fixed or mobile internet and publish agreed and actual speeds (Art. 10e FDV); the standard test is networktest.ch. Telecom law sets no specific remedy: complain to your provider with your measurements, then to ombudscom.
Your contract states the speeds your provider promises. If the real speed falls clearly and repeatedly below them, you may be able to pay less or end the contract. A measurement with the official tool, where there is one, is the strongest proof.
📜 The rules in Switzerland
What you can do
Ombudsman practice: a lasting shortfall of more than a third of the agreed service justifies a lower fee or early cancellation without cost. Give your provider a chance to fix the problem first.
The details
- In a published case, a provider advertised up to 10 Gbit/s but delivered not even two thirds. The ombudsman found this misleading and proposed refunding the fees and a right to cancel early if the speed was not raised. (cas.ombudscom.ch)
- Internet providers must treat all traffic equally, with narrow exceptions such as legal orders, network security or temporary congestion, and must tell you if they treat data differently (Art. 12e FMG). (fedlex.data.admin.ch)
ombudscom – Schlichtungsstelle Telekommunikation
Official telecom dispute body: mediates between you and your provider once your complaint to the provider has failed. You pay a CHF 20 handling fee. Phone line for questions on the procedure, working days 10:00–13:00.
Official speed test not run by the state
networktest.ch
Required by law (Art. 10e FDV) and offered jointly by the large providers, not by BAKOM. BAKOM calls it a meaningful tool to establish your connection's quality; no official text says whether a result counts as proof. Keep your results.
🪜 Step by step
- Find the promised speedsYour contract summary lists the speeds, often as a maximum, a normally available and a minimum speed.
- Measure properlyUse a cable instead of Wi‑Fi, close other devices and measure several times on different days, with the official tool if there is one.
- Report it to the providerSend the results, ask for the problem to be fixed and keep a copy of everything you send and receive.
- Use your rightsIf nothing improves, ask for a lower price or to end the contract, and go to the dispute body if the provider refuses.
📇 Who to contact
Sponsor this page → One labelled block, €100 a month. Founding price €75 until 31 January 2027.
❓ Questions
Does a quick speed test in an app count?
It helps you spot a problem. As proof, a measurement made the way the regulator or your contract describes carries much more weight.
Does this apply to mobile internet too?
Mobile speeds change with place and network load, and the rules for mobile are often different. See the rules for Switzerland on this page.
Is slow Wi‑Fi the provider’s fault?
Not always. Walls, distance and old devices slow Wi‑Fi down. Measure with a cable first.
📎 Sources
- bakom.admin.ch →
- cas.ombudscom.ch →
- fedlex.data.admin.ch →
- de.ombudscom.ch →
- bakom.admin.ch →
- de.ombudscom.ch →
- networktest.ch →
- bakom.admin.ch →
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