Zurich, Switzerland – [Insert Date] – In a move poised to reshape the landscape of mobile communications across Switzerland, telecom giants Sunrise and Salt have announced a significant deepening of their infrastructure cooperation. The two leading operators have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore a comprehensive expansion of their existing network-sharing arrangements, with a primary focus on enhancing coverage, reception, and overall network reliability in the nation’s rural and less densely populated areas. This strategic initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Swiss citizens, regardless of their geographical location, benefit from high-quality mobile services comparable to those enjoyed in urban centers.
The proposed collaboration centers on the potential adoption of a Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) model for Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing. This advanced approach would allow for more efficient utilization of existing infrastructure, reducing the need for redundant deployments and ultimately leading to improved service quality and investment efficiency. The move comes as both companies acknowledge the unique challenges and economic imperatives of building and maintaining mobile networks in areas where population density is lower. With approximately 70 percent of their combined mobile network sites already situated in medium-density and rural regions, the potential for substantial infrastructure sharing is considerable.
Bridging the Rural Divide: The Core of the Expansion
The crux of this ambitious expansion lies in its deliberate targeting of rural and less populated regions. Switzerland, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and scattered communities, presents a distinct challenge for telecommunications providers. The economic viability of deploying and maintaining individual mobile network sites in these areas is often hampered by the lower customer density they serve. Recognizing this, Salt and Sunrise are proactively seeking ways to overcome these hurdles through collaborative infrastructure development.
"More than half of Switzerland’s population lives outside urban centers, and providing them with seamless and reliable mobile connectivity is not just a business imperative, but a societal one," stated an executive familiar with the discussions. "This expansion is about ensuring that everyone, from the farmer in the Alps to the resident of a small village, has access to the same high standards of mobile service as those in Zurich or Geneva."
The MoU signifies a commitment to a thorough assessment of how a more integrated network infrastructure can benefit a substantial portion of the Swiss populace. The potential for customers to gain access to a greater number of mobile sites, leading to improved indoor and outdoor reception, broader geographical coverage, and a more robust overall mobile network experience, is a key driver behind this initiative.
A Chronology of Collaboration and Future Aspirations
While this announcement marks a significant step forward, the roots of Salt and Sunrise’s infrastructure cooperation run deeper. The two companies have already engaged in sharing arrangements at select mobile sites, a testament to their understanding of the benefits of collaboration. This new MoU establishes a formalized framework to rigorously evaluate the potential for a substantial expansion of these shared efforts.
The journey from this MoU to a fully implemented, expanded network sharing agreement will be a phased one, involving detailed planning and technical studies. The companies have committed to a comprehensive investigation that will cover the technical, operational, economic, legal, and regulatory facets of such a partnership. This due diligence is crucial to ensure that any definitive agreement is robust, sustainable, and compliant with all relevant Swiss regulations.
The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) in Switzerland has been duly informed of this strategic initiative, indicating a transparent and collaborative approach with regulatory bodies from the outset. The success and eventual implementation of any expanded cooperation will be contingent upon the positive outcomes of the ongoing studies and the securing of necessary regulatory approvals.
The MOCN Model: A Technological Enabler for Efficiency
At the heart of the proposed infrastructure cooperation lies the potential adoption of a Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) architecture. This technological framework offers a sophisticated solution for RAN sharing, allowing for the efficient utilization of antenna sites.
Under a MOCN model, selected antenna sites can be connected to the core networks of both Sunrise and Salt. This means that customers of one operator could potentially leverage parts of the other operator’s mobile infrastructure, while both companies continue to independently manage their respective core networks. The primary advantage of this approach is the significant reduction of unnecessary duplication of network infrastructure, particularly in areas where deploying separate, independent networks would be economically inefficient and resource-intensive.
"The MOCN model represents a forward-thinking approach to network deployment," explained a telecommunications analyst. "It allows operators to pool resources in areas where the return on investment for individual infrastructure is less compelling. This not only benefits the operators by improving investment efficiency but, more importantly, it translates to better service for customers in underserved regions."
The existing, albeit limited, cooperation between Salt and Sunrise at selected sites provides a valuable foundation for this proposed expansion. The MoU allows for a comprehensive assessment of how this model can be scaled up to address the widespread need for improved connectivity in rural Switzerland.
Supporting Data: The Economic Rationale and Market Landscape
The economic justification for this intensified cooperation is compelling, especially when viewed against the backdrop of each company’s operational scale and investment patterns. Building separate mobile infrastructure in locations with a sparse customer base often leads to a higher cost per customer. By coordinating their infrastructure development, Salt and Sunrise can achieve greater financial efficiency, making more targeted and impactful investments.
The financial figures released by both companies underscore the potential for significant cost synergies. In 2025, Salt invested CHF 239.2 million in capital expenditures (Capex), a notable increase from the previous year, reflecting its commitment to infrastructure development. Concurrently, Sunrise invested CHF 478.7 million in full-year 2025, though this represented a slight decrease from 2024. Cumulatively, these investments highlight a substantial annual expenditure in the region of CHF 718 million dedicated to building and enhancing their respective networks.
This combined investment, when channeled through a more efficient, shared infrastructure model, could unlock considerable savings and allow for more strategic deployment of resources. The aim is to ensure that the substantial investments made in telecom infrastructure yield maximum benefit for both the companies and their customers.
The market landscape further contextualizes this strategic alliance. At the close of 2025, Salt reported 1.856 million mobile postpaid subscribers and over 313,000 broadband customers. Sunrise, as of June 2026, served approximately 3.18 million mobile customers, alongside substantial broadband and TV subscriber bases. Together, Salt and Sunrise represent a significant portion of the Swiss mobile market, serving over 5 million connections. This collective reach provides a substantial platform for the success of any expanded network sharing initiative.
Official Responses: Leadership Vision for Enhanced Connectivity
The CEOs of both Sunrise and Salt have articulated a clear vision for the future of mobile connectivity in Switzerland, emphasizing the customer-centric benefits of this proposed collaboration.
Sunrise CEO Andre Krause expressed his optimism about the potential of this initiative. "Our goal is to ensure that every customer in Switzerland enjoys a superior mobile experience," Krause stated. "By providing our customers with access to more mobile sites, we can significantly expand network coverage and elevate network quality. This initiative has the potential to deliver network performance to rural users that is truly comparable with the experience available in our major cities."
Max Nunziata, CEO of Salt, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dual benefits of improved service quality and future-proofing the network. "Coordinating our network expansion efforts with Sunrise presents a tangible opportunity to enhance service quality for our customers," Nunziata remarked. "Furthermore, by working together, we can ensure that our infrastructure is robust and capable of meeting the ever-increasing demands for mobile data, a trend that is only set to accelerate."
These statements underscore a shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, positioning the infrastructure cooperation as a strategic move to solidify their market leadership and enhance the overall telecommunications ecosystem in Switzerland.
Implications: A New Era for Swiss Mobile Services
The potential implications of this expanded Salt-Sunrise infrastructure cooperation are far-reaching and transformative for the Swiss telecommunications sector and its consumers.
For Consumers: The most immediate and significant implication for consumers, particularly those residing in rural and less densely populated areas, is the promise of vastly improved mobile service. Enhanced coverage, stronger reception indoors and outdoors, and greater network reliability will translate into a seamless digital experience, enabling better access to communication, information, and essential services. This could also mean more competitive pricing as operators achieve greater efficiency.
For the Operators: The collaboration offers a strategic pathway to optimize capital expenditure and operational costs. By sharing infrastructure, Salt and Sunrise can reduce redundant investments, allowing them to allocate resources more effectively towards innovation, the rollout of new technologies like 5G, and the enhancement of their service offerings. This improved investment efficiency can lead to stronger financial performance and greater competitive resilience.
For Switzerland’s Digital Agenda: This initiative aligns perfectly with national efforts to promote digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide. By ensuring robust mobile connectivity across the entire country, Salt and Sunrise are contributing to Switzerland’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. It supports the development of rural communities, facilitates remote work, and enhances access to digital education and healthcare services for all citizens.
Maintaining Competitive Independence: It is crucial to note that despite the deepening infrastructure cooperation, Salt and Sunrise will continue to operate as distinct and independent competitors in the market. The proposed partnership is strictly confined to mobile network infrastructure. Both operators will retain their own core networks, licenses, and autonomy over spectrum usage and their overarching network strategies. Their pricing, product portfolios, branding, marketing, sales, retail strategies, market positioning, and direct customer relationships will remain entirely independent. This ensures that the competitive dynamism that benefits consumers will be preserved, while the efficiencies of infrastructure sharing are realized.
In conclusion, the strategic alliance between Sunrise and Salt represents a forward-thinking approach to meeting the evolving demands of the mobile market in Switzerland. By prioritizing rural connectivity and leveraging the power of infrastructure sharing, these two telecommunications powerhouses are setting a new benchmark for service quality and operational efficiency, promising a more connected and digitally empowered future for all of Switzerland.
