Swisscom is leveraging innovation and AI to maintain its leadership and drive progress in the fixed network market.
Swisscom has won the connect broadband and fixed network test with an ‘outstanding’ rating — for the fourth time in a row. Swisscom provides 50 percent of Swiss households and businesses with optical fibre. Swisscom said fibre-optic coverage is expected to increase to 57 percent by the end of 2025 and 75–80 percent by the end of 2030.
In 2024, Swisscom expects revenue of around CHF 11 billion, EBITDA of CHF 4.5–4.6 billion and capital expenditure of around CHF 2.3 billion.
Bram van der Zwet, Lead Architect Network & Infrastructure at Swisscom, has discussed his company’s leadership in the fixed network market, its commitment to technological innovation, and its strategic planning at the 10th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF 2024) – organized by Huawei.
Key strategies of Swisscom
# 1 Commitment to Network Quality
Swisscom prioritizes network quality as a core differentiator, serving around 2 million fixed network users in Switzerland.
Heavy investments in fiber infrastructure (e.g., Fiber to the Home and bearer networks) ensure enhanced network capacity and reliability, with a goal of achieving 100 percent uptime.
# 2 Simplified Network Architecture
Adopting the SRv6 protocol instead of traditional MPLS to streamline network operations and ensure high availability.
This simplified architecture is extended across bearer and aggregation networks, data center environments, and even customer premises equipment (CPEs), ensuring consistent reliability.
# 3 Advancing Net5.5G Technology
Swisscom is exploring Net5.5G architecture and technologies, including SRv6 and network slicing, to provide innovative enterprise services like VPNs with guaranteed quality for cloud and premises connectivity.
These technologies offer customers more flexible and reliable solutions while opening new revenue streams.
# 4 Integration of CI/CD Pipelines
Swisscom uses Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines from the outset of network development, automating processes such as testing and deployment.
This approach is transforming Swisscom from a traditional telecom operator to a “techco,” embedding software-driven methodologies across the organization.
# 5 Software-Driven Operations and AI Integration
Swisscom is developing a software-driven operations system to address challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies like AI.
This system is designed to be adaptable and sustainable, ensuring future-proofing regardless of physical network changes.
# 6 AI’s Role in the Future of Networks
Swisscom is leveraging AI to enhance its operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and user experience, ensuring seamless network performance.
AI-driven insights also contribute to optimizing resource allocation and enabling proactive decision-making in network management.
# 7 Focus on Enterprise and Digital Innovation
By aligning with cutting-edge digital trends, Swisscom is well-positioned to cater to enterprise customers through robust, quality-assured connectivity solutions.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
