Rausgeschmissenes Steuergeld? In der Telekombranche gibt es erhebliche Zweifel, ob Subventionen einen schnelleren Ausbau von Breitbandinternet bewirken

The Swiss federal government plans to spend 730 million Swiss francs on nationwide broadband internet, but a study commissioned by Swiss4net suggests this could have the opposite effect. According to the study, the mere prospect of government subsidies may delay or even prevent private investment in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure.

Swiss4net's CEO Roger Heggli notes that private investors would be willing to cover the gaps in broadband coverage without public subsidies, provided there is legal certainty and investment protection for the final meters connecting homes and businesses to the network. Swiss4net has already invested 250 million Swiss francs and could potentially mobilize even more if the conditions were right.

However, the study warns that planned regulation and the requirement for private network operators to lease their fibers to third parties could jeopardize existing investments. Swiss4net's CEO emphasizes that private capital will only flow into Switzerland if there is legal certainty and investment protection. The study suggests that with a privately funded model, 94 percent of the Swiss population could be covered by FTTH by 2033.

Currently, only half of the population and businesses are provided with this technology. Swiss4net argues that private companies should be able to use the cables of state electricity providers to expand the network. However, the study points out that regulatory decisions and court rulings that increase investment costs or reduce expected returns will decrease private investment incentives.