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English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Telecommunications Act (TCA)
of 30 April 1997 (Status as of 1 March 2018)
The Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation, based on Article 36 of the Constitution1,2 and having regard to the Federal Council Dispatch of 10 June 19963, decrees:
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Art. 1 Aim 1 The aim of this Act is to ensure that a range of cost-effective, high quality, and nationally and internationally competitive telecommunications services is available to private individuals and the business community. 2 It shall in particular:
a. ensure that a reliable universal service is provided, at affordable prices, for all sections of the population in all parts of the country;
b. ensure that telecommunications traffic is free from interference and respects personal and incorporeal property rights;
c. allow effective competition in the provision of telecommunications services; d.4 protect users of telecommunications services from unfair mass advertising
and from abuse associated with value-added services.
AS 1997 2187 1 [BS 1 3]. Art. 92 of the Constitution of 18 Apr. 1999 corresponds today to the cited
provision (SR 101). 2 Amended by Annex No 5 of the FA of 6 Oct. 2000 on the Surveillance of Post and
Telecommunications, in force since 1 Jan. 2002 (AS 2001 3096; BBl 1998 4241). 3 BBl 1996 III 1405 4 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007
(AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 25 Subject This Act shall regulate the transmission of information by means of telecommunica- tions techniques, including the transmission of radio and television programme services, provided the Federal Act of 24 March 20066 on Radio and Television (RTVA) does not prescribe otherwise.
Art. 3 Definitions In this Act:
a. information means signs, signals, characters, images, sounds and any other form of representation addressed to human or other living beings or to ma- chines;
b. telecommunications service means transmission of information for third par- ties by means of telecommunications techniques;
c. transmission by means of telecommunications techniques means sending or receiving of information, by lines or radio, by means of electrical, magnetic or optical signals or other electromagnetic signals;
d. telecommunications installations means apparatus, lines or equipment in- tended for the transmission of information by means of telecommunications techniques or used for that purpose;
dbis.7fully unbundled access to the local loop means provision of access to the lo- cal loop for another telecommunications service provider for utilisation of the entire frequency spectrum of the twisted pair metallic line;
dter.8 fast bitstream access means establishment of a high-speed connection to the subscriber from the exchange to the building connection on the twisted pair metallic line by a telecommunications service provider and making this con- nection available to another provider for the provision of broadband ser- vices;
e.9 interconnection means establishment of access by the connection of the in- stallations and services of two telecommunications service providers, ena- bling them to operate together logically and in accordance with telecommu- nications techniques and allowing access to the services of third parties;
ebis.10 leased lines means provision of transparent transmission capacities via point-to-point connections;
5 Amended by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
6 SR 784.40 7 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 8 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 9 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 10 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951).
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eter.11 cable ducts means underground pipes in which lines for transmission of information by telecommunications techniques are conveyed, including the access shafts;
f. addressing resources means communication parameters and numbering el- ements such as code numbers, subscribers’ telephone numbers and short numbers;
g. communication parameters means elements that enable the persons taking part in a telecommunications operation, as well as the computer processes, machines, apparatus or telecommunications installations involved, to be identified;
h.12 radio and television programme service means sequence of programmes as defined in Article 2 RTVA13.
Chapter 2 Telecommunications Services Section 1 Common Provisions
Art. 414 Notification requirement 1 Any person providing a telecommunications service must notify the Federal Office of Communications (the Office) of this. The Office registers telecommunications service providers who have notified. 2 The Federal Council may provide for exceptions, in particular for telecommunica- tions services of limited economic and technical significance. 3 It shall regulate the notification procedure as well as the regular updating of the list of telecommunications service providers.
Art. 515 Undertakings under foreign law In the absence of any international obligations to the contrary, the Federal Commu- nications Commission (the Commission) may prohibit undertakings incorporated under foreign law from providing telecommunications services in Switzerland unless reciprocal rights are granted.
11 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
12 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
13 SR 784.40 14 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 15 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 616 Requirements for telecommunications service providers Any person providing a telecommunications service must:
a. have the necessary technical capacities; b. comply with the applicable legislation, in particular this Act, the RTVA17
and the relevant implementation provisions; c. comply with employment legislation and guarantee the working conditions
that are customary in the sector; d. offer an appropriate number of apprenticeships.
Art. 6a18 Blocking access to telecommunications services Providers of telecommunications services must block the access to telephone and internet services for persons who have established a customer relationship that is not based on a subscription where these persons on establishing the customer relation- ship:
a. have used the identity of a person who does not exist or who has not previ- ously consented to establishing the customer relationship; or
b. has failed to provide a document that meets the requirements imposed by the Federal Council under Article 23 paragraph 1 of the Federal Act of 18 March 201619 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traf- fic.
Art. 7–1020
Art. 1121 Granting of access by dominant providers 1 Providers of telecommunications services that have a dominant position in the market must provide access to other providers in a transparent and non- discriminatory manner at cost-oriented prices in the following forms to their facili- ties and their services:
a. fully unbundled access to the local loop; b. fast bitstream access for four years; c. rebilling for fixed network local loops;
16 Amended by Art. 106 para. 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
17 SR 784.40 18 Inserted by Annex No II 3 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and
Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
19 SR 780.1 20 Repealed by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, with effect from 1 Apr. 2007
(AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951). 21 Amended by Art. 106 para. 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in
force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
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d. interconnection; e. leased lines; f. access to cable ducts, provided these have sufficient capacity.
2 They shall disclose the conditions and prices for their individual access services separately. 3 The Federal Council regulates the details. 4 Providers of telecommunications services shall provide the Office with a copy of their access agreement. Unless there is some overriding public or private interest not to do so, the Office shall allow agreements to be consulted. 5 There is no obligation to guarantee access in relation to the broadcasting of radio and television programme services.
Art. 11a22 Disputes regarding access 1 If providers of telecommunications services do not agree within three months on the access conditions, the Commission shall decide at the request of one party and based on the proposal made by the Office. It shall take particular account of the conditions which promote effective competition, as well as the effects of its decision on competing companies. It may accord interim legal protection. 2 If the question of dominance in the market must be assessed, the Office shall consult the Competition Commission. The latter may publish its position. 3 The Commission shall decide within seven months of receipt of the request. 4 It shall regulate the type and form of accounting and financial information which dominant providers of telecommunications services must submit in the procedure in accordance with para. 1.
Art. 11b23 Disputes arising from agreements and decisions regarding access Disputes arising from agreements and decisions regarding access shall be judged by the civil courts.
Art. 1224 Bundling of services 1 Dominant providers of telecommunications services may bundle their services, provided they also offer the services included in the bundle individually. 2 Services need not be offered individually if they can only be offered in the bundle for technical, economic, quality or security reasons.
22 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
23 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
24 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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3 If a provider of telecommunications services bundles its own services with services of a third party undertaking which this provider controls or is controlled by, para- graphs 1 and 2 apply.
Art. 12a25 Information on telecommunications services 1 The Federal Council requires providers of telecommunications services to guaran- tee the transparency of prices for subscribers. 2 It may require providers of telecommunications services to publish information concerning the quality of the telecommunications services provided by them. It shall regulate the form and content of the publication. 3 The Office may promote the provision of information about telecommunications services.
Art. 12b26 Value-added services 1 The Federal Council shall regulate value-added services in order to prevent their misuse. In particular, it shall fix upper price limits, issue regulations for the indica- tion of prices and prescribe a registered office or branch office in Switzerland, taking international obligations into account. 2 Charges for value-added services above a defined threshold amount may be im- posed only with the express consent of users. The Federal Council shall set this amount and issue regulations according to which value-added services which are billed by providers of telecommunications services along with other services can be identified as such on the basis of the numbers.
Art. 12c27 Dispute resolution 1 The Office shall establish a dispute resolution service or shall entrust this to third parties. In the event of disputes between customers and providers of telecommunica- tions services or value-added services, either party may invoke the service. 2 The party invoking the dispute resolution service shall pay a handling fee. The provider of telecommunications services or value-added services shall bear the costs of the procedure minus the handling fee. 3 The parties are not bound by the dispute resolution decision. 4 The Federal Council regulates the details.
25 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
26 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
27 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 12d28 Directories 1 Directories of telecommunications services customers may be published. Custom- ers are free to allow themselves to be entered in these directories. 2 The Federal Council shall define the minimum content of an entry.
Art. 1329 Provision of information by the Office 1 Unless there is an overriding public or private interest in not doing so, the Office shall on request provide the name and address of the provider of telecommunications services or value-added services, and information on the services provided by it and any administrative or criminal prosecutions and penalties. 2 It may publish this information and make it accessible online if there is a public interest. 3 Only in the case of overriding public or private interest may it provide information on ongoing administrative or criminal prosecutions, publish that information or make it accessible online.
Art. 13a30 Processing of data 1 The Commission and the Office may process personal data, including data con- cerning administrative or criminal prosecutions and penalties and personality pro- files, provided that this is indispensable for the fulfilment of the tasks imposed on them by the telecommunications legislation. They may use an information system for this purpose. 2 They shall take the technical and organisational measures necessary for data pro- tection and security during processing, and in particular during transmission. 3 The Federal Council may issue complementary provisions, namely concerning the organisation and operation of the information system, the categories of the data to be processed, access and processing authorisations, the term of conservation as well as the archiving and destruction of data.
Art. 13b31 Administrative assistance 1 The Commission and the Office shall provide to other Swiss authorities data which these authorities need in order to fulfil their legal duties. This data also includes sensitive data and personality profiles obtained in administrative or administrative criminal procedures. The data shall be made accessible individually, in lists or on electronic media.
28 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
29 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
30 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
31 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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2 Subject to international agreements to the contrary, the Commission and the Office may only transfer data to foreign surveillance authorities in the telecommunications sector, including sensitive personal data and personality profiles obtained in admin- istrative or administrative criminal procedures, if these authorities:
a. use such data exclusively to conduct surveillance of telecommunications service providers or for purposes of market surveillance;
b. are bound by official or professional secrecy; and c. forward this data to competent authorities and bodies which are entrusted
with surveillance tasks in the public interest only with the prior consent of the Commission or the Office or on the basis of a general authorisation in a treaty.
3 The Commission and the Office shall not forward data to foreign prosecuting authorities if legal assistance is excluded in criminal matters. The Commission or the Office shall decide in agreement with the Federal Office of Justice. 4 Swiss authorities shall forward to the Commission and the Office without charge such data as may be important for the enforcement of telecommunications legisla- tion, including sensitive personal data and personality profiles. The data shall be made accessible individually, in lists or on electronic media.
Section 2 Universal Service Licence32
Art. 1433 The licence 1 The Commission shall ensure that the universal service is guaranteed for all sec- tions of the population in all parts of the country. To this end, it shall periodically grant one or more universal service licences. 2 The licence shall be tied to the condition that all or specific services of the univer- sal service (Art. 16) are provided to all sectors of the population within the area covered by the licence. 3 An invitation to tender shall be issued for the granting of the licence. The proce- dure shall be conducted in accordance with the principles of objectivity, non- discrimination and transparency. The Federal Council regulates the details. 4 If it is clear in advance that the invitation to tender cannot proceed under condi- tions of competition, or if it does not produce any suitable candidates, the Commis- sion may appoint one or more providers of telecommunications services to guarantee the universal service. 5 Licences are generally limited to the same term.
32 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
33 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 15 Conditions for granting the licence Any person wishing to obtain a universal service licence must:
a. have the necessary technical capacities; b.34 furnish convincing proof that the service can be offered, particularly with
regard to finance, and the service operated for the entire duration of the li- cence, and state what financial compensation, in accordance with Article 19, will be required;
c. undertake to comply with the applicable legislation, in particular this Act and its implementing provisions, and the licence conditions;
d.35 undertake to comply with employment legislation and to guarantee the work- ing conditions that are customary in the sector.
Art. 16 Scope of the universal service36 1 The universal service licensee shall provide one or more of the following services to meet demand in the area covered by the licence, in accordance with the state of the art:37
a.38 a public telephone service, i.e. transmission of speech in real time by means of telecommunications techniques, including transmission of data employing transfer rates compatible with the channels for transmitting speech, as well as the connection and additional services;
b. access to emergency call services; c. public pay telephones in sufficient numbers; d.39 access to the Swiss directories of subscribers to the public telephone service;
the Federal Council may require a universal service licensee to maintain a directory of all customers of services of the universal service (general direc- tory);
e.40 …41
34 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
35 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
36 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
37 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
38 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
39 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
40 Repealed by Annex No 5 of the FA on Equality for Disabled Persons of 13 Dec. 2002, with effect from 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4487; BBl 2001 1715).
41 The list is no longer up-to-date. See now: para. 3 and Art. 15 of the O of 9 March 2007 on Telecommunications Services (SR 784.101.1).
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1bis Services of the universal service must be ensured in such a way that persons with disabilities are offered comparable terms and conditions with respect to quality, quantity and prices as those without disabilities. In this respect the universal service licensee must ensure in particular that:
a. public call boxes meet the requirements of the sensory impaired and those with reduced mobility;
b. a relay service is provided for the hearing impaired; c. a directory enquiry and operator service is provided for the visually im-
paired.42 2 The Federal Council shall fix the detailed rules for implementation. It may lay down special provisions for connections outside built-up areas. It may delegate its powers in this regard to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (the Department). 3 The Federal Council shall periodically adapt the content of the universal service in accordance with the state of the art and social and economic requirements.
Art. 17 Quality and price 1 Services of the universal service must be of a certain quality throughout the coun- try. The Federal Council shall decide the quality criteria. 2 The Federal Council shall endeavour to ensure that charges do not depend on distance. It shall periodically fix upper limits for the prices of the services of the universal service. These upper limits shall apply uniformly over the whole area and shall be determined by the development of the market.
Art. 1843
Art. 1944 Financial compensation 1 If it is clear before the granting of the licence that, even with efficient management, it will not be possible to cover the costs of provision of the universal service in a given area, the licensee shall be entitled to financial compensation. 2 Any licensee in receipt of financial compensation must present all the information required for cost evaluation and cost control, in particular the accounting and finance information, to the Office each year. 3 The Federal Council regulates the details.
42 Inserted by Annex No 5 of the FA on Equality for Disabled Persons of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4487; BBl 2001 1715).
43 Repealed by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, with effect from 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
44 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 19a45 Transfer and amendment of the licence The transfer and amendment of the universal service licence are subject to Articles 24d and 24e.
Art. 19b46 Publication by the Office Unless there is some overriding public or private interest not to do so, the Office shall publish the name and address of the licensee, the subject of the licence and the rights and obligations deriving from the licence.
Section 3 Obligations deriving from the Provision of Specific Services47
Art. 2048 Access to emergency calls Providers of services of the universal service must implement access to emergency call services so that callers can be located.
Art. 2149 Provision of directory data 1 Providers of services of the universal service shall maintain a directory of their customers. 2 They shall allow other providers of telecommunications services, or of services which are based on directory data, access to the minimum content in accordance with Article 12d paragraph 2; they shall allow electronic access even if they have not themselves published the said directories. 3 Access shall be provided in accordance with international standards and in a trans- parent and non-discriminatory manner at cost-oriented prices. Articles 11a and 11b apply for the resolution of disputes.
Art. 21a50 Interoperability 1 Providers of services of the universal service must ensure the capability of com- munication between all users of these services (interoperability).
45 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
46 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
47 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
48 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
49 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
50 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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2 The Federal Council may extend this obligation to other telecommunications services which are publicly accessible and satisfy a widespread need. It may pre- scribe interfaces for access to the service in accordance with international standards. The Office issues the necessary technical and administrative regulations. 3 Providers obliged to provide interoperability must offer interconnection even if they are not dominant in the market. Articles 11 paragraph 4, 11a paragraphs 1 and 3 and 11b apply to agreements and decisions regarding interconnection. The Federal Council may impose further obligations on providers who are obliged to provide interoperability.
Art. 21b51 Leased lines The Commission may oblige providers of telecommunications services to offer leased lines in certain areas in accordance with international standards at cost- oriented prices. It shall publish its decisions.
Chapter 3 Radiocommunications
Art. 22 Licence requirement 1 Any person wishing to use the radiocommunications frequency spectrum must obtain a licence. 2 The armed forces and civil defence do not require a licence in order to use the frequencies allocated to them in the course of their duties. 3 The Federal Council may provide for other exceptions if the technical means employed to use the frequencies are of limited importance.
Art. 23 Conditions for granting the licence 1 Any person wishing to obtain a radiocommunications licence must:
a. have the necessary technical capacities; b.52 undertake to comply with the applicable legislation, in particular this Act,
the RTVA53, their implementing provisions, and the licence conditions. 2 Subject to any international obligations to the contrary, the licensing authority may refuse to grant a licence to undertakings incorporated under foreign law unless reciprocal rights are granted. 3 A licence shall be granted only if, having regard to the national frequency alloca- tion plan, enough frequencies are available.
51 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
52 Amended by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
53 SR 784.40
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4 The granting of a radiocommunications licence must not eliminate or constitute a serious obstacle to effective competition unless an exception can be justified on grounds of economic efficiency. In cases of doubt, the licensing authority shall consult the Competition Commission.
Art. 24 Granting of the licence 1 A radiocommunications licence shall, as a rule, be granted on the basis of a public invitation to tender if it is intended to provide telecommunications services using the requested frequencies and there are not enough frequencies available to meet all applicants’ present and future needs. 1bis The Federal Council shall define the principles governing the granting of radio- communications licences which are entirely or partially intended for the broadcast- ing of radio and television programme services.54 2 The Federal Council shall regulate the procedure. It shall be conducted in accord- ance with the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and transparency and guarantee the confidential character of all information provided by applicants.55 3 For the first-instance procedure concerning the public invitation to tender and for the appeals procedure, in particular with regard to evaluation of the entries and in order to guarantee commercial secrecy, the Federal Council may deviate from the following provisions of the Federal Act of 20 December 196856 on Administrative Procedure (APA):
a. determination of the circumstances (Art. 12 APA); b. co-operation of the parties (Art. 13 APA); c. inspection of documents (Art. 26-28 APA); d. right to a hearing (Art. 30 and 31 APA); e. opening and justification of decisions (Art. 34 and 35 APA).57
4 In the procedure concerning the public invitation to tender, interim decisions are not in themselves contestable by means of appeal.58
Art. 24a59 Licensing authority 1 The Commission is the licensing authority. 2 It may transfer individual tasks to the Office.
54 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
55 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
56 SR 172.021 57 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 58 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 59 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 24b60 Special licensing regulations If no licensing regulations exist for specific circumstances requiring a licence, the licensing authority shall define these on a case-by-case basis.
Art. 24c61 Term of the licence The licence is granted for a specific period of time. The licensing authority shall determine the term according to the type and importance of the licence.
Art. 24d62 Transfer of the licence 1 The licence may be transferred in part or as a whole to a third party only with the consent of the licensing authority. This also applies to the economic transfer of the licence. 2 An economic transfer of the licence occurs when a company has obtained control of the licensee in accordance with the law on cartels.
Art. 24e63 Amendment and revocation of the licence 1 The licensing authority may amend or revoke the licence due to changes in actual or legal conditions if the amendment or revocation is necessary to guarantee im- portant public interests. 2 The licensee shall be appropriately compensated if the transferred rights are re- voked or substantially reduced.
Art. 24f64 Provision of information by the Office 1 Provided there are no overriding public or private interests, the Office shall provide the name and address of the licensee, and information on the subject of the licence, the rights and obligations attached to the licence, the frequency assignments and the transmitter locations. 2 It may publish this information and make it accessible online if there is a public interest.
Art. 25 Management of frequencies 1 The Office shall manage the frequency spectrum and the Swiss utilisation rights and orbital positions of satellites in accordance with the relevant international
60 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
61 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
62 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
63 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
64 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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agreements. It shall take appropriate measures to ensure that these resources are used efficiently and without interference and to provide equitable access to them on the basis of the national frequency allocation plan.
2 The national frequency allocation plan is subject to the approval of the Federal Council.65
Art. 26 Technical monitoring 1 The Office shall monitor the frequency spectrum for planning and surveillance purposes. 2 It shall carry out these checks alone or in co-operation with other authorities. The Federal Council shall fix the detailed rules for such co-operation. 3 The Office may intercept or record radiocommunications traffic if this is necessary to ensure that telecommunications and broadcasting are free from interference and if other measures have proved ineffective or entail unreasonable expenditure. 4 Any data that is recorded may be used only to determine the cause of the interfer- ence or identify the person or persons responsible for it. 5 If there is reason to suspect that an offence has been committed that is punishable under this Act, any recordings that may constitute evidence shall be passed to the competent authority. Any other recording must be destroyed immediately.
Art. 2766 Processing of data and administrative assistance Articles 13a and 13b concerning processing of data and administrative assistance shall apply.
Chapter 4 Addressing Resources
Art. 28 Management and assignment 1 The Office shall manage the addressing resources in accordance with international standards. It shall take appropriate measures to ensure a sufficient supply of number- ing elements and communication parameters. It may allow the holders of basic resources to assign subordinate addressing resources. 2 In special cases, the Office may delegate its responsibility for the management and assignment of certain addressing resources to third parties. The Federal Council shall fix the detailed rules for implementation, in particular the arrangements for surveil- lance by the Office.
65 Amended by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
66 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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2bis The Federal Council may prescribe a mandatory alternative dispute resolution procedure between the holders of addressing resources and third parties. It shall regulate the procedure, its consequences and its effects on the procedure under civil law, particularly the suspension of the period of limitation and the onus of proof. The right of holders of addressing resources and third parties to bring civil actions is reserved.67 3 The Commission shall approve national numbering plans. 4 Providers of telecommunications services shall ensure number portability and freedom of choice of service provider in the matter of national and international connections. The Commission shall fix the detailed rules for implementation in the light of technical developments and international harmonisation.
Art. 29 Obligation to provide information Any holder of addressing resources shall be required to provide the competent authority with the information it needs to manage the addressing resources that have been assigned.
Art. 30 Compensation The partial or complete modification by the authorities of numbering plans or regu- lations for the management of communication parameters shall not constitute grounds for any claim for compensation.
Chapter 5 Telecommunications Installations
Art. 3168 Offering, making available on the market69 and putting into service 1 The Federal Council may adopt technical regulations on the offering, making available on the market and putting into service of telecommunications installations, in particular in respect of basic technical requirements with regard to telecommuni- cations, evaluation of conformity, certification of conformity, declaration of con- formity, markings, registration and the obligation to provide proof (Art. 3 of the Federal Act of 6 October 199570 on Technical Barriers to Trade). 2 If the Federal Council has laid down basic technical requirements with regard to telecommunications among the regulations within the meaning of paragraph 1, the Office shall generally, in order to concretise them:
67 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
68 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
69 Term in accordance with Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
70 SR 946.51
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a. designate technical standards, compliance with which shall be deemed to constitute fulfilment of the basic requirements; or
b. declare technical standards or other rules binding. 3 In implementing paragraph 2, the Office shall take the relevant international stand- ards into account; any derogations shall require the consent of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. 4 If the Federal Council has not adopted any basic technical requirements with regard to telecommunications within the meaning of paragraph 1, or if the Office has not concretised them in accordance with paragraph 2, the person offering, making available on the market71 or putting into service a telecommunications installation must ensure that it complies with the recognised rules of telecommunications engi- neering. These shall be deemed to include, first and foremost, any internationally harmonised technical standards. In the absence of such standards, the technical specifications of the Office or, in the absence of such specifications, the national standards shall apply. 5 If it is necessary for technical telecommunications security reasons, the Office may rule that certain telecommunications installations may be entrusted only to specially qualified persons. It may regulate the detailed rules of such entrusting.
Art. 32 Installation and operation A telecommunications installation may only be installed and operated if it complied with the regulations in force when it was first made available on the market, in- stalled or put into service and if it has been kept in that state. The Federal Council may define exceptions.72
Art. 32a73 Telecommunications installations to guarantee public safety The Federal Council shall regulate the offering, making available on the market, putting into service, installation and operation of telecommunications installations which must be used by authorities in the interest of public safety.
Art. 32b74 Prohibition of installations and devices that cause interference 1 It is prohibited to manufacture, import, offer, make available on the market, pos- sess, put into service, install or operate telecommunications installations and other devices that are intended to interfere with or prevent telecommunications or broad- casting.
71 Term in accordance with Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
72 Second clause inserted by virtue of No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
73 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
74 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133).
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2 Article 32a is reserved.
Art. 33 Surveillance 1 In order to check compliance with the regulations on the offering, making available on the market, putting into service, installation and operation of telecommunications installations, the Office shall have access during normal working hours to the prem- ises where such installations are located. 2 The Federal Council shall regulate the right of access to telecommunications installations that are subject to military secrecy regulations. 3 If a telecommunications installation fails to comply with the regulations, the Office shall take the necessary measures. It may, in particular, restrict or prohibit the instal- lation, operation, offering and making available on the market of such an installa- tion, order it to be restored to a state that complies with the regulations or returned, or confiscate it without compensation.
Art. 34 Interference 1 If a telecommunications installation causes interference to telecommunications or broadcasting, the Office may require the operator to modify it at his own expense or to suspend operation of the installation, even if it complies with the regulations on offering, making available on the market, putting into service, installation and opera- tion applicable to it. 1bis If telecommunications installations disrupt or may disrupt the use of frequency spectrums that require increased protection, the Office may restrict or forbid the offering and making available on the market of such installations, even if they com- ply with the regulations concerning their offering and making available on the mar- ket.75 1ter The Federal Council shall regulate the conditions under which the following authorities may for the following purposes install, put into service or operate a telecommunications installation which causes interference:
a. the police and the law enforcement authorities, in order to guarantee public safety and security;
b. the Federal Intelligence Service, in order to guarantee the protection and se- curity of its employees, information and installations.76
1quater If lawful interference disproportionately disrupts other public or third-party interests, paragraph 1 applies.77
75 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951). Amended by Annex No 2 of the FA of 12 June 2009, in force since 1 July 2010 (AS 2010 2617; BBl 2008 7275)
76 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951). Amended by Annex No II 13 of the Intelligence Service Act of 25 Sept. 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2017 (AS 2017 4095; BBl 2014 2105).
77 Inserted by Annex No II 13 des Intelligence Service Act of 25 Sept. 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2017 (AS 2017 4095; BBl 2014 2105).
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2 In order to determine the source of the interference to telecommunications or broadcasting, the Office shall have access to all telecommunications installations.
Art. 34a78 Processing of data and administrative assistance Articles 13a and 13b concerning processing of data and administrative assistance shall apply to Articles 31–34.
Art. 35 Use of land 1 Owners of land in public use (such as roads, footpaths, squares, waterways, lakes and banks and shorelines) are required to allow providers of telecommunications services to use that land to install and operate lines and public pay telephones, pro- vided those installations do not interfere with the public use of the land.79 2 Providers of telecommunications services shall take account of the purpose and the use to which the property in question is put and shall bear the cost of restoring it to its original state.80 They shall be required to move their lines if the owner of the property wishes to use it for a purpose that is incompatible with their presence. 3 The Federal Council shall regulate the details, in particular the providers’ duty of co-ordination and the conditions governing the relocation of lines and public pay telephones.81 4 The authorisation procedure shall be simple and rapid. No compensation other than an administrative charge to cover costs may be levied for the use of the land, provid- ed that it does not interfere with its public use.
Art. 35a82 Other connections 1 The owner shall tolerate, in addition to the connection as defined in Article 16, other connections if the latter are required by a tenant prepared to bear the costs thereof. 2 Connection of buildings in accordance with the cantonal development stipulations is reserved. 3 No charge for utilisation shall be levied if:
a. the tenant directly forgoes use of a new connection; b. the connection contract is cancelled; the telecommunications service provid-
er or the lessor shall allow a reasonable cancellation period.
78 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
79 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
80 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
81 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
82 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
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4 The telecommunications service provider or the lessor may place under seal and verify unused connections.
Art. 36 Right of expropriation and joint use 1 If the establishment of a telecommunications installation is in the public interest, the Department may grant the right to expropriate. The procedure shall be conducted in accordance with the Federal Act of 20 June 193083 on Expropriation. 2 The Office may on application, for reasons of public interest, in particular to take account of technical problems or the planning needs or protection of the countryside, national heritage, the environment, nature or animals, require providers of telecom- munications services to accord to a third party, in return for appropriate compensa- tion, the right to make joint use of its telecommunications installations and other installations, such as cable ducts and transmitter locations, if they have sufficient capacity.84 3 Under the same conditions, the Office may require providers of telecommunica- tions services to co-install and co-use telecommunications installations and other installations, such as cable ducts and transmitter locations.85
Art. 3786 Ownership of lines 1 Lines for the transmission of information by means of telecommunications tech- niques and cable ducts shall be the property of the providers of telecommunications services who have installed them or acquired them from third parties. 2 Any owner of land who wilfully or through gross negligence damages a telecom- munications service provider’s line or cable duct on his property shall be liable for the damage.
Chapter 6 Fees
Art. 3887 Fee for financing the universal service 1 The Office shall collect from providers of telecommunications services a fee, the revenue from which shall be used exclusively to finance the uncovered costs of the universal service in accordance with Article 16 and the costs for the administration of the financing mechanism.
83 SR 711 84 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 85 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 86 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 87 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951).
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2 The total amount of the fees must cover the costs listed in paragraph 1; the fee shall be fixed in proportion to the turnover of the telecommunications services provided. 3 The Federal Council may exempt from the fee those providers whose turnover from the telecommunications services provided is below a defined amount. 4 It shall regulate the detailed rules for provision of the information which is re- quired for the apportionment and monitoring of the costs listed in paragraph 1.
Art. 3988 Licence fees for radiocommunications 1 The licensing authority shall charge a fee for radiocommunications licences. No fee shall be charged for radiocommunications licences intended for broadcasting licensed radio or television programme services in accordance with the RTVA89.90 2 The amount of the fees shall be calculated on the basis of:
a. the frequency range allocated, the class of frequency and the value of the frequencies;
b. the bandwidth allocated; c. the territorial scope; and d. the temporal scope.
3 If a frequency may also be used to broadcast both licensed radio or television programme services and to transmit other radio and television programme services and information, the latter is subject to a licence fee proportional to usage.91 3bis In order to facilitate the introduction of new broadcasting technologies in terms of Article 58 RTVA, or to safeguard the diversity of programming in areas inade- quately covered by wireless terrestrial services, the Federal Council may reduce the licence fee for broadcasting radio and television programme services.92 4 If the radiocommunications licence is granted by auction, the licence fee shall correspond to the amount of the bid, less administrative charges for the invitation to tender and the granting of the licence. The licensing authority may fix a minimum bid. 5 The Federal Council may waive payment of the radiocommunications licence fee in the case of the following bodies, provided that they do not supply telecommunica- tions services and that they make rational use of frequencies:
88 Amended by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
89 SR 784.40 90 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014, in force since 1 Dec. 2017
(AS 2016 2131, 2017 5929; BBl 2013 4975). 91 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014, in force since 1 Dec. 2017
(AS 2016 2131, 2017 5929; BBl 2013 4975). 92 Inserted by Annex No 4 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014, in force since 1 Dec. 2017
(AS 2016 2131, 2017 5929; BBl 2013 4975).
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a. authorities and public law bodies and establishments of the Confederation, cantons and communes, provided that they use the frequency spectrum ex- clusively for tasks for which they bear sole responsibility;
b. public transport undertakings; c. diplomatic representations, permanent missions, consular posts and inter-
governmental organisations; d. private bodies, provided they perform duties of public interest on behalf of
the Confederation, cantons or communes.
Art. 4093 Administrative charges 1 The competent authority shall make an administrative charge for its decisions and services to cover its expenses, in particular in connection with:
a. the registration and surveillance of providers of telecommunications ser- vices;
b. the decisions concerning access, provision of directory data, interoperability, leased lines and the joint use of installations;
c. the resolution of disputes between customers and providers of telecommuni- cations services or value-added services;
d. the granting, surveillance, amendment and cancellation of universal service licences and radiocommunications licences;
e. the management and technical monitoring of the frequency spectrum and satellite orbital positions;
f. the management, assignment and revocation of addressing resources; g. the registration and surveillance of telecommunications installations.
2 If an activity as defined in paragraph 1 concerns telecommunications services or radiocommunications licences which are used in whole or in part for the broadcast- ing of radio or television programme services, the authority may take account of the limited financial resources of the broadcaster who holds the right of access and who is directly or indirectly affected by the charge. 3 If responsibility for any of the activities listed in paragraph 1 has been delegated to a third party, that party may be required to submit the prices of its services to the Office for approval, in particular if no competition exists for these services. 4 The Department may set upper price limits, in particular if the price level in a specific market implies abuse.
93 Amended by Art. 106 para. 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
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Art. 41 Fixing and collection of fees94 1 The Federal Council shall regulate the detailed arrangements for the collection of fees and the financing of the universal service and fix the amount of the fees for radiocommunications licences.95 2 The Department shall fix the amount of the administrative charges. The task of fixing the amount of fees of limited scope may be delegated to the Office.
Art. 42 Guarantees The authority responsible for collecting the fees may require the person responsible for paying them to provide appropriate guarantees.
Chapter 7 Telecommunications Confidentiality and Data Protection96
Art. 43 Obligation of confidentiality No person who is or has been responsible for providing a telecommunications ser- vice may disclose to a third party information relating to subscribers’ communica- tions or give anyone else an opportunity to do so.
Art. 4497
Art. 45 Disclosure of information to subscribers 1 The customer may require the provider of telecommunications services to inform him of the data on which invoices are based, in particular the addressing resources, the times when calls were made and the payment due. 2 Any person requiring this data to trace nuisance calls or unfair mass advertising may require the provider of telecommunications services to inform him of the name and address of the subscribers whose lines were used to make the calls in question.98
94 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
95 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
96 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
97 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008 on the Formal Revision of Federal Legislation, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
98 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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Art. 45a99 Unfair mass advertising 1 Providers of telecommunications services shall combat unfair mass advertising (Art. 3 let. o of the Federal Act of 19 December 1986100 on Unfair Competition). 2 The Federal Council may define measures that are appropriate and necessary to combat unfair mass advertising.
Art. 45b101 Location data Providers of telecommunications services may process data concerning locations of customers only for the telecommunications services and charging purposes; they may only process it for other services if they have first obtained the consent of customers, or in anonymised form.
Art. 45c102 Data on external equipment Processing of data on external equipment by means of transmission using telecom- munications techniques is permitted only:
a. for telecommunications services and charging purposes; or b. if users are informed about the processing and its purpose and are informed
that they may refuse to allow processing.
Art. 46 Protection of privacy The Federal Council shall regulate, in particular, the identification of the caller’s line, call forwarding, the use of data relating to telecommunications traffic and the security of telecommunications services with regard to interception and interference by unauthorised persons. In so doing, it shall take account of the need to protect the privacy of telecommunications users and of overriding public interests.
Chapter 8 Vital National Interests
Art. 47 Services in extraordinary circumstances 1 The Federal Council shall decide the services that providers of telecommunications services must provide in extraordinary circumstances, in particular to meet the communication requirements of the armed forces, civil defence, the police, the rescue services and the civilian authorities. It shall regulate the compensation, hav- ing due regard to the interests of the provider.
99 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
100 SR 241 101 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 102 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951).
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2 The Federal Council may oblige the necessary staff to serve should the extraordi- nary circumstances require it. In the case of telecommunications installations, the provisions on requisition are reserved. 3 The provisions on the General’s powers, under Article 91 of the Federal Act of 3 February 1995103 on the Armed Forces and Military Administration, are reserved.
Art. 48 Restriction of telecommunications 1 The Federal Council may order the surveillance, restriction or interruption of telecommunications in extraordinary circumstances or when vital national interests require it. It shall regulate the question of any indemnity payable for these tasks, having due regard to the interests of the persons required to perform them. 2 The measures described in paragraph 1 shall not constitute grounds for any claim for damages or reimbursement of fees.
Art. 48a104 Security and availability The Federal Council may issue technical and administrative regulations for the security and availability of telecommunications infrastructures and services.
Chapter 9 Criminal Provisions
Art. 49 Falsification or suppression of information 1 Any person carrying on an activity in connection with a telecommunications ser- vice shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty105 if he:
a. falsifies or suppresses information; b. gives any third party the opportunity to do so.
2 Any person who deceives a person carrying on an activity in connection with a telecommunications service into falsifying or suppressing information shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty.106
Art. 50 Misuse of information Any person who by means of a telecommunications installation receives private information that is not intended for him and who uses it or communicates it to third
103 SR 510.10 104 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921;
BBl 2003 7951). 105 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of
13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979). 106 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of
13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979).
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parties without permission shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding one year or to a monetary penalty.107
Art. 51108
Art. 52 Contraventions 1 Any person who:
a.109 violates the notification requirement in accordance with Article 4; b. uses the frequency spectrum without a licence or contrary to the licence con-
ditions; c.110 puts addressing resources not assigned to him into service; d. offers, makes available on the market or puts into service telecommunica-
tions installations that do not comply with the regulations in force; e. installs or operates telecommunications installations that do not comply with
the regulations in force; f. hands over telecommunications installations to unauthorised persons; g.111 manufactures, imports, offers, makes available on the market, possesses,
puts into service, installs or operates telecommunications installations or other devices that are intended to interfere with or prevent telecommunica- tions or broadcasting
shall be liable to a fine not exceeding CHF 100,000.112 2 If the offence is committed through negligence, the fine shall not exceed CHF 50,000.
Art. 53 Failure to comply with regulations Any person who, intentionally or through negligence, infringes any other provision of the telecommunications legislation, a treaty or international agreement on the subject, or violates a decision taken on the basis of such provisions and notified to him with an indication of the penalties available under this Article, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding CHF 5000.
107 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979).
108 Repealed by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, with effect from 1. Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133).
109 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
110 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
111 Inserted by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133).
112 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979).
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Art. 54 Other criminal provisions Articles 14 to 18 of the Federal Act of 22 March 1974113 on Administrative Criminal Law apply.
Art. 55 Jurisdiction 1 Offences within the meaning of Articles 52 to 54 shall be prosecuted and adjudi- cated by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Act of 22 March 1974114 on Administrative Criminal Law. 2 The Department may delegate to the Office the tasks of prosecution and adjudica- tion of offences, as well as the enforcement of decisions.
Chapter 10 Communications Commission
Art. 56 Communications Commission 1 The Federal Council shall elect a Federal Communications Commission consisting of five to seven members and shall appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The members must be independent specialists. 2 The Commission shall not be required to follow instructions from the Federal Council or the Department when taking its decisions. It shall be independent of the administrative authorities. It shall have its own secretariat. 3 The Commission shall adopt rules relating to its organisation and management, which must be approved by the Federal Council. 4 The Commission shall be funded by administrative charges. The Federal Council shall regulate the details.
Art. 57 Duties of the Commission 1 The Commission shall perform the duties and take the decisions for which it is responsible in terms of this Act and its implementing provisions. It shall inform the public of its activities and produce a report each year for the Federal Council. 2 For the purpose of implementing telecommunications legislation, the Commission may seek the assistance of the Office and give it instructions.
113 SR 313.0 114 SR 313.0
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Chapter 11 Surveillance and Legal Remedies
Art. 58115 Surveillance 1 The Office shall ensure that international telecommunications law, this Act, its implementing provisions, and licences are complied with. It may assign certain surveillance tasks to organisations incorporated under private law and co-operate with such organisations. 2 If the Office detects an infringement of the law, it may:
a. call on the legal or natural person responsible for the infringement to remedy the infringement or take measures to prevent any repetition of it; the person responsible for the infringement must inform the Office of the measures it has taken;
b. require the legal or natural person responsible for the infringement to sur- render to the Confederation any revenue generated during the infringement;
c. make the licence subject to conditions; d. restrict, suspend, revoke or withdraw the licence or restrict, suspend or total-
ly forbid the activity of the legal or natural person responsible for the in- fringement.
3 The Office shall withdraw the licence if essential conditions for granting it cease to be fulfilled. 4 If the licence has been granted by the Commission, the Commission shall take the corresponding measures based on the proposal made by the Office. 5 The competent authority may take precautionary measures.
Art. 59 Obligation to disclose information 1 The persons subject to this Act shall be obliged to provide the competent authority with the information required to implement this Act.116 2 Providers of telecommunications services subject to notification requirements in accordance with Article 4 must provide the Office regularly with the necessary information to produce official telecommunications statistics.117 2bis Data collected or submitted for statistical purposes may be used for other pur- poses only if:
a. a federal act explicitly allows this; b. the person concerned consents in writing; c. this serves the evaluation of telecommunications legislation; or
115 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
116 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
117 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
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d. this serves as a basis for necessary regulatory decisions.118 2ter The Office may publish market shares.119 3 The Federal Council shall regulate the details.
Art. 60120 Administrative penalties 1 If an enterprise infringes the applicable law, the licence or a decision having force of law, it may be required to pay an amount up to 10 percent of the amount of its average turnover in Switzerland in the last three financial years. 2 Cases of failure to comply shall be investigated by the Office. It shall judge the cases which do not lie within the competency of the Commission in accordance with Article 58 paragraph 4. 3 When assessing the penalty, the competent authority shall take account in particu- lar of the gravity of the infringement and the enterprise’s financial situation.
Art. 61121
Chapter 12 Final Provisions Section 1 Implementation and Repeal of existing Legislation
Art. 62 Implementation 1 The Federal Council shall implement this Act. The responsibility of the Commis- sion is reserved. 2 The Federal Council may delegate to the Office the duty of adopting the necessary administrative and technical regulations.
Art. 63122
Art. 64 International agreements 1 The Federal Council shall have authority to conclude international agreements on matters falling within the ambit of this Act.
118 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
119 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
120 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
121 Repealed by Annex No 86 of the Administrative Court Act of 17 June 2005, with effect from 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 2197; BBl 2001 4202).
122 Repealed by Annex No 86 of the Administrative Court Act of 17 June 2005, with effect from 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 2197; BBl 2001 4202).
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2 It may delegate that authority to the Office in the case of international agreements relating to technical or administrative matters.
Art. 65 Repeal of existing legislation The Federal Telecommunications Act of 21 June 1991123 is repealed.
Section 2 Transitional Provisions
Art. 66-68124
Art. 68a125 Transitional provisions concerning the Amendment of 24 March 2006
1 The services provided on the commencement of the Amendment of 24 March 2006 as part of a telecommunications services licence are deemed to have been notified as defined in Article 4 paragraph 1. The radiocommunications licences which are included in the rescinded telecommunications services licences remain valid and acquire the terms and conditions associated therewith. 2 The existing conditions for the universal service licence under the old law shall apply until the expiry of its term.
Art. 69126
Section 3 Referendum and Commencement
Art. 70 1 This Act is subject to an optional referendum. 2 The Federal Council shall determine the commencement date. 3 …127
123 [AS 1992 581, 1993 901 Annex No 18] 124 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008 on the Formal Revision of Federal
Legislation, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
125 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
126 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
127 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008 on the Formal Revision of Federal Legislation, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
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Commencement date:128 Art. 56, 57, 64, 67, 68 on 20 October 1997 all other provisions on 1 January 1998
128 FCD of 6 Oct. 1997 (AS 1997 2205).
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Annex
Amendment of existing Legislation
…129
129 The amendments may be consulted under AS 1997 2187.
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