All systems go for Swisscom’s 5G launch
February 8, 2019
Swisscom has paid CHF196 million (€172.4m) to acquire the frequency bands needed for the future 5G network, securing the conditions for the commercial operation of the 5G network in Switzerland.
By the end of 2019, it is expected that 5G will have been successively rolled out to 60 Swiss towns and communities, providing customers with faster response times, higher speeds and greater capacity.
Urs Schaeppi, CEO Swisscom, commented: “By building the 5G network, we are contributing to improving the competitiveness of Switzerland as a centre for business. We want to inspire people in the networked world, whether they are in the city or in the countryside. Swisscom initially plans to roll out 5G to 60 towns and communities by the end of 2019. The first 5G-enabled devices are expected to reach the Swiss market in the next few months and will allow customers to enjoy higher speeds, faster response times and better capacity.”
Swisscom successfully acquired 46 per cent of the frequencies purchased by all bidders for 5G and previous mobile communication generations.