Two More GSM Operators for Switzerland

Switzerland's Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has decided in principle to award one GSM licence respectively in the 1800MHz frequency band to the companies In&Phone and Tele2. The licences will now be elaborated and granted at the beginning of 2004. To give smaller companies an opportunity, the frequencies were awarded within the framework of a competition based on criteria, excluding the three existing GSM operators.

With regard to the question of the number of antennas, ComCom stressed that no fourth national GSM infrastructure will be set up on the basis of the granting of these licences.

In total, on 15 July 2003 frequencies amounting to 2 x 15 MHz from the GSM 1800 MHz frequency band were put out to tender. Company In&Phone will now receive 2 x 5.8 MHz (29 channels) and Tele2 2 x 8.6 MHz (43 channels). By way of comparison, it should be mentioned that the three current GSM operators each have access to a bandwidth of about 2 x 25 MHz.

As part of the criteria-based competition, the candidatures were assessed by applying the following criteria: business plan and service plan, technical concept and implementation, the effect on stimulating the market and the degree of innovation, as well as the coherence and credibility of the project. The basic requirements for taking part in the competition were meeting the legal conditions for a licence and proving that financing of their project was assured."

Posted to the site on 19th December 2003