Switzerland — Living: Internet

Why this matters

Switzerland's broadband is fast and reliable virtually everywhere, including rural areas, but contract terms (often 12-24 month minimums) and setup lead times (sometimes 2-4 weeks for a new fibre line) mean relocators should order service as early as possible rather than assuming same-week connection.

Key facts

• Individuals using the Internet: 97.3 % of population (2025)
• Fixed broadband subscriptions: 47.0 per 100 people (2024)
• Mobile cellular subscriptions: 129 per 100 people (2024)

Steps

1. Order internet as early as possible — Book installation 2-4 weeks ahead of your move-in date given typical lead times.
2. Compare bundles — Providers commonly bundle mobile, TV and internet — compare bundle pricing against standalone plans.
3. Check contract length — Request shorter or month-to-month terms if you may relocate again within a year or two.

Costs

• Standard home fibre plan (100 Mbps-1 Gbps): ~CHF 50-90/month

Timelines

• New fibre installation: 2-4 weeks depending on building readiness

Required documents

• Rental contract or proof of address
• Passport/ID

Common mistakes

• Ordering internet only after moving in, causing a multi-week gap without a fixed connection.
• Signing a 24-month contract without checking early-termination fees, awkward for relocators uncertain of their length of stay.
• Not checking whether a rental unit is already fibre-wired, which significantly affects installation speed.

What these figures do not cover

These indicators describe national access and take-up. Provider names, plan prices, speeds in a given city and how to sign up are not covered here.

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