Fibre Optics Switzerland 2026: New Expansion Regions, Open Access and Switching Tips for Private Customers
The fibre optic rollout in Switzerland is progressing rapidly in 2026. Swisscom and Sunrise are continuously connecting new municipalities with FTTH (Fibre to the Home), creating concrete switching opportunities for private customers. This article shows what is currently happening in which regions, how the Open Access model works and what you should pay attention to when switching.
Current Status: Where is the Rollout Happening in 2026?
Swisscom announced further expansion phases at the beginning of 2026. Among the newly connected or currently being connected areas are municipalities in Aargau – such as Biberstein – as well as other localities in central and eastern Switzerland. Swisscom publishes continuously updated information on planned and completed expansion projects on its fibre optic expansion page.
Sunrise is also expanding its FTTH network independently, primarily in urban and suburban areas. Sunrise relies on its own fibre infrastructure while simultaneously cooperating with regional energy suppliers and municipal utilities that operate their own fibre networks.
The key points on the current expansion status:
- Swisscom plans to supply around 90 percent of Swiss households with FTTH by 2030
- Sunrise focuses on densely populated areas and is expanding its own network in parallel with the Swisscom infrastructure
- Regional providers such as EWZ (Zurich), Energie Wasser Bern or St. Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke are connecting their supply areas independently
- In rural regions, copper (VDSL) or mobile (5G Home) remains the only alternative for now
What Does FTTH Mean in Practice?
FTTH stands for Fibre to the Home: the fibre optic cable is run directly into the apartment or house. This differs from FTTB (Fibre to the Building), where the last stretch inside the building still runs over copper.
The practical advantages of FTTH compared to copper and mobile:
| Feature | FTTH | Copper (VDSL) | 5G Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum download speed | up to 10 Gbit/s | up to ~300 Mbit/s | up to ~1 Gbit/s |
| Upload | symmetrical possible | significantly slower | asymmetrical |
| Latency | very low | medium | variable |
| Stability | very high | depends on line length | depends on network load |
| Future-proofing | high | limited | medium |
For households with multiple simultaneous users, home office or high-resolution streaming, FTTH is the technically superior solution.
Open Access: Who Can Use the Swisscom Network?
A central topic in the fibre optic rollout is the Open Access model. Swisscom, as the dominant market provider, is obliged to grant other providers access to its fibre infrastructure. This means: even if Swisscom lays the cable into your home, you don't necessarily have to become a Swisscom customer.
The following providers can offer fibre services via the Swisscom network:
- Wingo (Swisscom subsidiary, more affordable positioning)
- Salt (uses Swisscom infrastructure for fixed-line offers)
- Quickline (regional provider, partially on the Swisscom network)
- Sunrise (where no own network is available)
However, the availability of Open Access offers depends on the specific expansion variant. Swisscom has implemented various models in the past (single-fibre, dual-fibre and quad-fibre models), which affects Open Access possibilities. If in doubt, it's worth asking your preferred provider directly about availability at your address.
Checklist: Is Fibre Available at Your Address?
Before contacting a provider, you can check availability yourself:
- Swisscom availability check: On swisscom.ch you can enter your address and see whether FTTH is already available or when the rollout is planned
- Sunrise availability check: On the Sunrise website there is also an address check
- Regional provider: Check whether your local municipal utility or energy supplier operates its own fibre network
- Contact the landlord: For rental apartments, the landlord often decides on the connection – ask whether a connection is already available or planned
- Check alternatives: If FTTH is not yet available, 5G Home can be a sensible interim solution
Switching Tips: How to Proceed
If fibre is available at your address and you want to switch, the following points are relevant:
Observe notice periods
Most internet contracts in Switzerland have a term of 12 or 24 months with a notice period of 30 days before the end of the contract. Check your current contract before signing a new one. Early termination may incur fees.
Plan the installation appointment
An FTTH connection generally requires an installation visit. Allow sufficient lead time – depending on the provider and region, it may take several weeks before an appointment is available.
Check your devices
For fibre optics you need a compatible router. Many providers include this in the subscription price. If you want to use your own router, check compatibility in advance.
Compare offers
Prices for fibre subscriptions vary considerably depending on the provider and speed. On zufriedenmit.ch/internet you'll find a current comparison of available internet offers in Switzerland.
Plan a move
If you're moving in the near future, it's worth waiting until after the move to sign up for a fibre connection – or checking directly with the new provider whether fibre is available at your new address.
What Does Fibre Cost in Comparison?
In principle, FTTH subscriptions in Switzerland are not necessarily more expensive than comparable copper offers. Entry-level offers with 300 to 500 Mbit/s are available from various providers from around CHF 40 to 60 per month. For Gigabit connections (1 Gbit/s), prices typically range between CHF 60 and 90 per month, depending on the provider and contract duration.
A complete comparison of current offers – including TV and bundle packages – is available at zufriedenmit.ch/vergleich.
Conclusion: Check Now, Then Decide
The fibre optic rollout in Switzerland is progressing continuously in 2026. Those living in a newly connected region should check availability at their own address and compare offers – because thanks to Open Access, several providers are often available to choose from. It's important to keep an eye on the notice periods of the existing contract and to realistically plan for the installation effort. Those who cannot yet benefit from fibre optics should know their provider's expansion plan and consider 5G Home as an interim solution if necessary.
