Is my copper phone line being switched off in Switzerland, and what happens to my contract?
Copper internet lines will be switched off step by step in the 2030s and not automatically replaced by fibre everywhere. On 9 September 2026 the Federal Council sent Parliament a Broadband Promotion Act to fund fast connections where the market does not build them.
Many countries are replacing old copper phone lines with fibre. Where an official plan exists, it sets how much warning you get and what happens to your contract; the plan for Switzerland is below.
📜 The rules in Switzerland
The switch-off plan
Gradual switch-off of copper internet lines in the 2030s; BAKOM names no single national date.
The details
- The Broadband Promotion Act is not yet law: Parliament still has to decide. The planned programme would pay municipalities rather than providers directly, and aims for connections of at least 1 Gbit/s download. (bakom.admin.ch)
- The BAKOM broadband atlas shows which connection types (copper, cable, fibre) and speeds are available in your area, updated twice a year. (bakom.admin.ch)
- The universal service provider chooses the technology it uses. If a new technology requires changes to the in-house wiring, it must pay for them (Art. 16–17 FDV). (fedlex.data.admin.ch)
Bundesamt für Kommunikation (BAKOM)
Federal telecoms authority for complaints under public telecom law, such as universal service, emergency call routing, value-added numbers, spam and free choice of provider. If it finds a breach, it can open supervisory proceedings or, for example, withdraw a number.
🪜 Step by step
- Find out what your line isYour contract or provider can tell you whether you are on copper, cable or fibre.
- Watch for a letterCustomers on lines that will be switched off are normally told in advance. Keep the letter.
- Compare your optionsYou may be offered fibre or another connection. Compare price, term and speed before you accept.
- Check special equipmentAlarm systems, emergency call devices and old phones may need to be adapted. Ask before the switch.
📇 Who to contact
Sponsor this page → One labelled block, €100 a month. Founding price €75 until 31 January 2027.
❓ Questions
Do I have to move to fibre?
When the copper line is switched off, you need another connection to keep your service. Which options you have depends on your address.
Does the switch cost me anything?
That depends on the plan and on the offers you get. Ask for any offer in writing.
Will my landline number still work?
Usually yes: you can normally keep your number on the new connection. Ask your provider.
📎 Sources
- bakom.admin.ch →
- bakom.admin.ch →
- fedlex.data.admin.ch →
- bakom.admin.ch →
- bakom.admin.ch →
- konsumentenschutz.ch →
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