Summary
The Federal Council passed an ordinance revision on 14 January 2026 that requires Swiss mobile network operators to install emergency power supply systems. From 2031 onwards, important sites and antennas must maintain emergency calls, telephony and internet for at least four hours during power outages. The regulation aligns Switzerland's level of protection with European standards and was softened following criticism from the telecommunications industry.
Persons
- Albert Rösti – Federal Councillor, Head of the Round Table
Topics
- Emergency power supply for mobile networks
- Critical infrastructure and power outage resilience
- Regulation of the telecommunications industry
- European harmonization
Detailed Summary
The Federal Council has decided on a partial revision of the Telecommunications Services Ordinance (FDV) to increase the resilience of Swiss mobile networks against power outages. The background is the recognition that failures of mobile services can cause significant economic damage and endanger public safety.
Concrete Requirements: From 2031 onwards, mobile network operators must install emergency power systems at important sites and antennas. These must maintain emergency calls, telephony and internet services for at least four hours. From 2034, the same requirement applies to all other services. During power outages, operators may restrict the transmission of videos and TV programs to free up capacity.
Adjustments Following Consultation: Originally, the Federal Council demanded protective measures even during multi-day power outages and repeated shutdowns. The telecommunications industry and business associations criticized these requirements as disproportionately burdensome. Following negotiations led by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, operators agreed with UVEK on the present, softened solution.
Further Steps: In a second phase, UVEK will examine the extent to which further hardening measures for extreme scenarios (power shortage situations, multi-day outages) can be implemented. This work will be carried out with the participation of the departments for economics and defense. The further approach is to be determined by the end of 2027.
Entry into Force: The ordinance amendment enters into force on 1 March 2026.
Key Messages
- Four-hour emergency power supply for emergency calls from 2031, for all services from 2034
- European Alignment: Switzerland harmonizes protection level with other European countries
- Compromise Solution: Original requirements were reduced following industry criticism
- Two-Stage Process: Further hardening for extreme scenarios to be reviewed by end of 2027
- Operational Flexibility: Operators may reduce video and TV services during power outages
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Mobile Network Operators | Must make investments in emergency power technology |
| Population & Economy | Benefits from secured emergency call accessibility |
| Critical Infrastructure | Dependent on mobile network coverage in emergencies |
| Federal Council & UVEK | Regulator and coordinator |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Increased emergency call security during power outages | Significant investment costs for operators |
| Protection of critical infrastructure | Possible pass-through to customer prices |
| European harmonization | Four hours may be insufficient during extreme events |
| Economic damage mitigation | Technical implementation challenges at older sites |
Action Relevance
For Decision-Makers:
- Monitoring of implementation by operators from 2026
- Observation of results from the second review phase (until 2027)
- Preparation for possible tightening of requirements for extreme scenarios
- Coordination with economics and defense departments in case of further hardening
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and data verified
- [x] All data sourced from official Federal Council document
- [x] Publication date and source verified (14.01.2026): 14.01.2026
- [x] No bias detected – objective presentation of the compromise solution
Supplementary Research
- Official Source: Telecommunications Services Ordinance (FDV) – Federal Gazette
- Industry Context: Swisscom, Vodafone, Salt – Statements on feasibility
- European Comparison: EU directives on emergency supply in mobile networks
Source Directory
Primary Source:
Federal Council Press Release – "For Secure Emergency Calls: Mobile Network Operators Must Ensure Emergency Power from 2031" (14 January 2026)
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/ka6vPXcP7VZUcPPMurc0e
Supplementary Sources:
- Draft of the revised Telecommunications Services Ordinance (FDV) – PDF, Federal Council
- UVEK – Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
- Consultation results from telecommunications industry and business associations
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 14.01.2026
This text was created with the assistance of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 14.01.2026