Source: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19970160/index.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 07:17:11+00:00

Document:
1 The aim of this Act is to ensure that a range of cost-effective, high quality, and nationally and internationally competitive telecommunications services is available to private individuals and the business community.
protect users of telecommunications services from unfair mass advertising and from abuse associated with value-added services.
1 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
This Act shall regulate the transmission of information by means of telecommunications techniques, including the transmission of radio and television programme services, provided the Federal Act of 24 March 20062 on Radio and Television (RTVA) does not prescribe otherwise.
1 Amended by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
radio and television programme service means sequence of programmes as defined in Article 2 RTVA7.
2 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
3 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
4 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
5 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
6 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
1 Any person providing a telecommunications service must notify the Federal Office of Communications (the Office) of this. The Office registers telecommunications service providers who have notified.
2 The Federal Council may provide for exceptions, in particular for telecommunications services of limited economic and technical significance.
3 It shall regulate the notification procedure as well as the regular updating of the list of telecommunications service providers.
1 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
In the absence of any international obligations to the contrary, the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) may prohibit undertakings incorporated under foreign law from providing telecommunications services in Switzerland unless reciprocal rights are granted.
offer an appropriate number of apprenticeships.
1 Amended by Art. 106 para. 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
has failed to provide a document that meets the requirements imposed by the Federal Council under Article 23 paragraph 1 of the Federal Act of 18 March 20162 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic.
1 Inserted by Annex No II 3 of the FA of 18 March 2016 on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic, in force since 1 March 2018 (AS 2018 117; BBl 2013 2683).
1 Repealed by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, with effect from 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
access to cable ducts, provided these have sufficient capacity.
2 They shall disclose the conditions and prices for their individual access services separately.
3 The Federal Council regulates the details.
4 Providers of telecommunications services shall provide the Office with a copy of their access agreement. Unless there is some overriding public or private interest not to do so, the Office shall allow agreements to be consulted.
5 There is no obligation to guarantee access in relation to the broadcasting of radio and television programme services.
1 If providers of telecommunications services do not agree within three months on the access conditions, the Commission shall decide at the request of one party and based on the proposal made by the Office. It shall take particular account of the conditions which promote effective competition, as well as the effects of its decision on competing companies. It may accord interim legal protection.
2 If the question of dominance in the market must be assessed, the Office shall consult the Competition Commission. The latter may publish its position.
3 The Commission shall decide within seven months of receipt of the request.
4 It shall regulate the type and form of accounting and financial information which dominant providers of telecommunications services must submit in the procedure in accordance with para. 1.
Disputes arising from agreements and decisions regarding access shall be judged by the civil courts.
1 Dominant providers of telecommunications services may bundle their services, provided they also offer the services included in the bundle individually.
2 Services need not be offered individually if they can only be offered in the bundle for technical, economic, quality or security reasons.
3 If a provider of telecommunications services bundles its own services with services of a third party undertaking which this provider controls or is controlled by, paragraphs 1 and 2 apply.
1 The Federal Council requires providers of telecommunications services to guarantee the transparency of prices for subscribers.
2 It may require providers of telecommunications services to publish information concerning the quality of the telecommunications services provided by them. It shall regulate the form and content of the publication.
3 The Office may promote the provision of information about telecommunications services.
1 The Federal Council shall regulate value-added services in order to prevent their misuse. In particular, it shall fix upper price limits, issue regulations for the indication of prices and prescribe a registered office or branch office in Switzerland, taking international obligations into account.
2 Charges for value-added services above a defined threshold amount may be imposed only with the express consent of users. The Federal Council shall set this amount and issue regulations according to which value-added services which are billed by providers of telecommunications services along with other services can be identified as such on the basis of the numbers.
1 The Office shall establish a dispute resolution service or shall entrust this to third parties. In the event of disputes between customers and providers of telecommunications services or value-added services, either party may invoke the service.
2 The party invoking the dispute resolution service shall pay a handling fee. The provider of telecommunications services or value-added services shall bear the costs of the procedure minus the handling fee.
3 The parties are not bound by the dispute resolution decision.
4 The Federal Council regulates the details.
1 Directories of telecommunications services customers may be published. Customers are free to allow themselves to be entered in these directories.
2 The Federal Council shall define the minimum content of an entry.
1 Unless there is an overriding public or private interest in not doing so, the Office shall on request provide the name and address of the provider of telecommunications services or value-added services, and information on the services provided by it and any administrative or criminal prosecutions and penalties.
2 It may publish this information and make it accessible online if there is a public interest.
3 Only in the case of overriding public or private interest may it provide information on ongoing administrative or criminal prosecutions, publish that information or make it accessible online.
1 The Commission and the Office may process personal data, including data concerning administrative or criminal prosecutions and penalties and personality profiles, provided that this is indispensable for the fulfilment of the tasks imposed on them by the telecommunications legislation. They may use an information system for this purpose.
2 They shall take the technical and organisational measures necessary for data protection and security during processing, and in particular during transmission.
3 The Federal Council may issue complementary provisions, namely concerning the organisation and operation of the information system, the categories of the data to be processed, access and processing authorisations, the term of conservation as well as the archiving and destruction of data.
1 The Commission and the Office shall provide to other Swiss authorities data which these authorities need in order to fulfil their legal duties. This data also includes sensitive data and personality profiles obtained in administrative or administrative criminal procedures. The data shall be made accessible individually, in lists or on electronic media.
forward this data to competent authorities and bodies which are entrusted with surveillance tasks in the public interest only with the prior consent of the Commission or the Office or on the basis of a general authorisation in a treaty.
3 The Commission and the Office shall not forward data to foreign prosecuting authorities if legal assistance is excluded in criminal matters. The Commission or the Office shall decide in agreement with the Federal Office of Justice.
4 Swiss authorities shall forward to the Commission and the Office without charge such data as may be important for the enforcement of telecommunications legislation, including sensitive personal data and personality profiles. The data shall be made accessible individually, in lists or on electronic media.
1 The Commission shall ensure that the universal service is guaranteed for all sections of the population in all parts of the country. To this end, it shall periodically grant one or more universal service licences.
2 The licence shall be tied to the condition that all or specific services of the universal service (Art. 16) are provided to all sectors of the population within the area covered by the licence.
3 An invitation to tender shall be issued for the granting of the licence. The procedure shall be conducted in accordance with the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and transparency. The Federal Council regulates the details.
4 If it is clear in advance that the invitation to tender cannot proceed under conditions of competition, or if it does not produce any suitable candidates, the Commission may appoint one or more providers of telecommunications services to guarantee the universal service.
5 Licences are generally limited to the same term.
undertake to comply with employment legislation and to guarantee the working conditions that are customary in the sector.
2 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
2 The Federal Council shall fix the detailed rules for implementation. It may lay down special provisions for connections outside built-up areas. It may delegate its powers in this regard to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (the Department).
3 The Federal Council shall periodically adapt the content of the universal service in accordance with the state of the art and social and economic requirements.
4 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
5 Repealed by Annex No 5 of the FA on Equality for Disabled Persons of 13 Dec. 2002, with effect from 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4487; BBl 2001 1715).
6 The list is no longer up-to-date. See now: para. 3 and Art. 15 of the O of 9 March 2007 on Telecommunications Services (SR 784.101.1).
7 Inserted by Annex No 5 of the FA on Equality for Disabled Persons of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4487; BBl 2001 1715).
1 Services of the universal service must be of a certain quality throughout the country. The Federal Council shall decide the quality criteria.
2 The Federal Council shall endeavour to ensure that charges do not depend on distance. It shall periodically fix upper limits for the prices of the services of the universal service. These upper limits shall apply uniformly over the whole area and shall be determined by the development of the market.
1 If it is clear before the granting of the licence that, even with efficient management, it will not be possible to cover the costs of provision of the universal service in a given area, the licensee shall be entitled to financial compensation.
2 Any licensee in receipt of financial compensation must present all the information required for cost evaluation and cost control, in particular the accounting and finance information, to the Office each year.
The transfer and amendment of the universal service licence are subject to Articles 24d and 24e.
Unless there is some overriding public or private interest not to do so, the Office shall publish the name and address of the licensee, the subject of the licence and the rights and obligations deriving from the licence.
Providers of services of the universal service must implement access to emergency call services so that callers can be located.
1 Providers of services of the universal service shall maintain a directory of their customers.
2 They shall allow other providers of telecommunications services, or of services which are based on directory data, access to the minimum content in accordance with Article 12d paragraph 2; they shall allow electronic access even if they have not themselves published the said directories.
3 Access shall be provided in accordance with international standards and in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner at cost-oriented prices. Articles 11a and 11b apply for the resolution of disputes.
1 Providers of services of the universal service must ensure the capability of communication between all users of these services (interoperability).
2 The Federal Council may extend this obligation to other telecommunications services which are publicly accessible and satisfy a widespread need. It may prescribe interfaces for access to the service in accordance with international standards. The Office issues the necessary technical and administrative regulations.
3 Providers obliged to provide interoperability must offer interconnection even if they are not dominant in the market. Articles 11 paragraph 4, 11a paragraphs 1 and 3 and 11b apply to agreements and decisions regarding interconnection. The Federal Council may impose further obligations on providers who are obliged to provide interoperability.
The Commission may oblige providers of telecommunications services to offer leased lines in certain areas in accordance with international standards at cost-oriented prices. It shall publish its decisions.
1 Any person wishing to use the radiocommunications frequency spectrum must obtain a licence.
2 The armed forces and civil defence do not require a licence in order to use the frequencies allocated to them in the course of their duties.
3 The Federal Council may provide for other exceptions if the technical means employed to use the frequencies are of limited importance.
undertake to comply with the applicable legislation, in particular this Act, the RTVA2, their implementing provisions, and the licence conditions.
2 Subject to any international obligations to the contrary, the licensing authority may refuse to grant a licence to undertakings incorporated under foreign law unless reciprocal rights are granted.
3 A licence shall be granted only if, having regard to the national frequency allocation plan, enough frequencies are available.
4 The granting of a radiocommunications licence must not eliminate or constitute a serious obstacle to effective competition unless an exception can be justified on grounds of economic efficiency. In cases of doubt, the licensing authority shall consult the Competition Commission.
1 A radiocommunications licence shall, as a rule, be granted on the basis of a public invitation to tender if it is intended to provide telecommunications services using the requested frequencies and there are not enough frequencies available to meet all applicants' present and future needs.
1 Inserted by Annex No II 2 of the FA of 24 March 2006 on Radio and Television, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 737; BBl 2003 1569).
1 The Commission is the licensing authority.
2 It may transfer individual tasks to the Office.
If no licensing regulations exist for specific circumstances requiring a licence, the licensing authority shall define these on a case-by-case basis.
The licence is granted for a specific period of time. The licensing authority shall determine the term according to the type and importance of the licence.
1 The licence may be transferred in part or as a whole to a third party only with the consent of the licensing authority. This also applies to the economic transfer of the licence.
2 An economic transfer of the licence occurs when a company has obtained control of the licensee in accordance with the law on cartels.
1 The licensing authority may amend or revoke the licence due to changes in actual or legal conditions if the amendment or revocation is necessary to guarantee important public interests.
2 The licensee shall be appropriately compensated if the transferred rights are revoked or substantially reduced.
1 Provided there are no overriding public or private interests, the Office shall provide the name and address of the licensee, and information on the subject of the licence, the rights and obligations attached to the licence, the frequency assignments and the transmitter locations.
1 The Office shall manage the frequency spectrum and the Swiss utilisation rights and orbital positions of satellites in accordance with the relevant international agreements. It shall take appropriate measures to ensure that these resources are used efficiently and without interference and to provide equitable access to them on the basis of the national frequency allocation plan.
1 The Office shall monitor the frequency spectrum for planning and surveillance purposes.
2 It shall carry out these checks alone or in co-operation with other authorities. The Federal Council shall fix the detailed rules for such co-operation.
3 The Office may intercept or record radiocommunications traffic if this is necessary to ensure that telecommunications and broadcasting are free from interference and if other measures have proved ineffective or entail unreasonable expenditure.
4 Any data that is recorded may be used only to determine the cause of the interference or identify the person or persons responsible for it.
5 If there is reason to suspect that an offence has been committed that is punishable under this Act, any recordings that may constitute evidence shall be passed to the competent authority. Any other recording must be destroyed immediately.
Articles 13a and 13b concerning processing of data and administrative assistance shall apply.
1 The Office shall manage the addressing resources in accordance with international standards. It shall take appropriate measures to ensure a sufficient supply of numbering elements and communication parameters. It may allow the holders of basic resources to assign subordinate addressing resources.
2 In special cases, the Office may delegate its responsibility for the management and assignment of certain addressing resources to third parties. The Federal Council shall fix the detailed rules for implementation, in particular the arrangements for surveillance by the Office.
3 The Commission shall approve national numbering plans.
4 Providers of telecommunications services shall ensure number portability and freedom of choice of service provider in the matter of national and international connections. The Commission shall fix the detailed rules for implementation in the light of technical developments and international harmonisation.
Any holder of addressing resources shall be required to provide the competent authority with the information it needs to manage the addressing resources that have been assigned.
The partial or complete modification by the authorities of numbering plans or regulations for the management of communication parameters shall not constitute grounds for any claim for compensation.
1 The Federal Council may adopt technical regulations on the offering, making available on the market and putting into service of telecommunications installations, in particular in respect of basic technical requirements with regard to telecommunications, evaluation of conformity, certification of conformity, declaration of conformity, markings, registration and the obligation to provide proof (Art. 3 of the Federal Act of 6 October 19953 on Technical Barriers to Trade).
declare technical standards or other rules binding.
3 In implementing paragraph 2, the Office shall take the relevant international standards into account; any derogations shall require the consent of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
4 If the Federal Council has not adopted any basic technical requirements with regard to telecommunications within the meaning of paragraph 1, or if the Office has not concretised them in accordance with paragraph 2, the person offering, making available on the market4 or putting into service a telecommunications installation must ensure that it complies with the recognised rules of telecommunications engineering. These shall be deemed to include, first and foremost, any internationally harmonised technical standards. In the absence of such standards, the technical specifications of the Office or, in the absence of such specifications, the national standards shall apply.
5 If it is necessary for technical telecommunications security reasons, the Office may rule that certain telecommunications installations may be entrusted only to specially qualified persons. It may regulate the detailed rules of such entrusting.
2 Term in accordance with Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
4 Term in accordance with Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
1 Second clause inserted by virtue of No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
The Federal Council shall regulate the offering, making available on the market, putting into service, installation and operation of telecommunications installations which must be used by authorities in the interest of public safety.
1 It is prohibited to manufacture, import, offer, make available on the market, possess, put into service, install or operate telecommunications installations and other devices that are intended to interfere with or prevent telecommunications or broadcasting.
2 Article 32a is reserved.
1 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133).
1 In order to check compliance with the regulations on the offering, making available on the market, putting into service, installation and operation of telecommunications installations, the Office shall have access during normal working hours to the premises where such installations are located.
2 The Federal Council shall regulate the right of access to telecommunications installations that are subject to military secrecy regulations.
3 If a telecommunications installation fails to comply with the regulations, the Office shall take the necessary measures. It may, in particular, restrict or prohibit the installation, operation, offering and making available on the market of such an installation, order it to be restored to a state that complies with the regulations or returned, or confiscate it without compensation.
1 If a telecommunications installation causes interference to telecommunications or broadcasting, the Office may require the operator to modify it at his own expense or to suspend operation of the installation, even if it complies with the regulations on offering, making available on the market, putting into service, installation and operation applicable to it.
2 In order to determine the source of the interference to telecommunications or broadcasting, the Office shall have access to all telecommunications installations.
2 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951). Amended by Annex No II 13 of the Intelligence Service Act of 25 Sept. 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2017 (AS 2017 4095; BBl 2014 2105).
3 Inserted by Annex No II 13 des Intelligence Service Act of 25 Sept. 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2017 (AS 2017 4095; BBl 2014 2105).
Articles 13a and 13b concerning processing of data and administrative assistance shall apply to Articles 31-34.
2 Providers of telecommunications services shall take account of the purpose and the use to which the property in question is put and shall bear the cost of restoring it to its original state.2 They shall be required to move their lines if the owner of the property wishes to use it for a purpose that is incompatible with their presence.
4 The authorisation procedure shall be simple and rapid. No compensation other than an administrative charge to cover costs may be levied for the use of the land, provided that it does not interfere with its public use.
1 The owner shall tolerate, in addition to the connection as defined in Article 16, other connections if the latter are required by a tenant prepared to bear the costs thereof.
2 Connection of buildings in accordance with the cantonal development stipulations is reserved.
the connection contract is cancelled; the telecommunications service provider or the lessor shall allow a reasonable cancellation period.
4 The telecommunications service provider or the lessor may place under seal and verify unused connections.
1 If the establishment of a telecommunications installation is in the public interest, the Department may grant the right to expropriate. The procedure shall be conducted in accordance with the Federal Act of 20 June 19301 on Expropriation.
3 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).
1 Lines for the transmission of information by means of telecommunications techniques and cable ducts shall be the property of the providers of telecommunications services who have installed them or acquired them from third parties.
2 Any owner of land who wilfully or through gross negligence damages a telecommunications service provider's line or cable duct on his property shall be liable for the damage.
1 The Office shall collect from providers of telecommunications services a fee, the revenue from which shall be used exclusively to finance the uncovered costs of the universal service in accordance with Article 16 and the costs for the administration of the financing mechanism.
2 The total amount of the fees must cover the costs listed in paragraph 1; the fee shall be fixed in proportion to the turnover of the telecommunications services provided.
3 The Federal Council may exempt from the fee those providers whose turnover from the telecommunications services provided is below a defined amount.
4 It shall regulate the detailed rules for provision of the information which is required for the apportionment and monitoring of the costs listed in paragraph 1.
4 If the radiocommunications licence is granted by auction, the licence fee shall correspond to the amount of the bid, less administrative charges for the invitation to tender and the granting of the licence. The licensing authority may fix a minimum bid.
private bodies, provided they perform duties of public interest on behalf of the Confederation, cantons or communes.
3 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014, in force since 1 Dec. 2017 (AS 2016 2131, 2017 5929; BBl 2013 4975).
4 Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014, in force since 1 Dec. 2017 (AS 2016 2131, 2017 5929; BBl 2013 4975).
5 Inserted by Annex No 4 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014, in force since 1 Dec. 2017 (AS 2016 2131, 2017 5929; BBl 2013 4975).
the registration and surveillance of telecommunications installations.
2 If an activity as defined in paragraph 1 concerns telecommunications services or radiocommunications licences which are used in whole or in part for the broadcasting of radio or television programme services, the authority may take account of the limited financial resources of the broadcaster who holds the right of access and who is directly or indirectly affected by the charge.
3 If responsibility for any of the activities listed in paragraph 1 has been delegated to a third party, that party may be required to submit the prices of its services to the Office for approval, in particular if no competition exists for these services.
4 The Department may set upper price limits, in particular if the price level in a specific market implies abuse.
2 The Department shall fix the amount of the administrative charges. The task of fixing the amount of fees of limited scope may be delegated to the Office.
The authority responsible for collecting the fees may require the person responsible for paying them to provide appropriate guarantees.
No person who is or has been responsible for providing a telecommunications service may disclose to a third party information relating to subscribers' communications or give anyone else an opportunity to do so.
1 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008 on the Formal Revision of Federal Legislation, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
1 The customer may require the provider of telecommunications services to inform him of the data on which invoices are based, in particular the addressing resources, the times when calls were made and the payment due.
1 Providers of telecommunications services shall combat unfair mass advertising (Art. 3 let. o of the Federal Act of 19 December 19862 on Unfair Competition).
2 The Federal Council may define measures that are appropriate and necessary to combat unfair mass advertising.
Providers of telecommunications services may process data concerning locations of customers only for the telecommunications services and charging purposes; they may only process it for other services if they have first obtained the consent of customers, or in anonymised form.
if users are informed about the processing and its purpose and are informed that they may refuse to allow processing.
The Federal Council shall regulate, in particular, the identification of the caller's line, call forwarding, the use of data relating to telecommunications traffic and the security of telecommunications services with regard to interception and interference by unauthorised persons. In so doing, it shall take account of the need to protect the privacy of telecommunications users and of overriding public interests.
1 The Federal Council shall decide the services that providers of telecommunications services must provide in extraordinary circumstances, in particular to meet the communication requirements of the armed forces, civil defence, the police, the rescue services and the civilian authorities. It shall regulate the compensation, having due regard to the interests of the provider.
2 The Federal Council may oblige the necessary staff to serve should the extraordinary circumstances require it. In the case of telecommunications installations, the provisions on requisition are reserved.
3 The provisions on the General's powers, under Article 91 of the Federal Act of 3 February 19951 on the Armed Forces and Military Administration, are reserved.
1 The Federal Council may order the surveillance, restriction or interruption of telecommunications in extraordinary circumstances or when vital national interests require it. It shall regulate the question of any indemnity payable for these tasks, having due regard to the interests of the persons required to perform them.
2 The measures described in paragraph 1 shall not constitute grounds for any claim for damages or reimbursement of fees.
The Federal Council may issue technical and administrative regulations for the security and availability of telecommunications infrastructures and services.
gives any third party the opportunity to do so.
1 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979).
2 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979).
1 Repealed by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, with effect from 1. Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133).
2 If the offence is committed through negligence, the fine shall not exceed CHF 50,000.
3 Inserted by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 June 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5607; BBl 2016 7133).
4 Amended by Art. 333 of the Criminal Code in the version contained in the Federal Act of 13 Dec. 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 3459; BBl 1999 1979).
Any person who, intentionally or through negligence, infringes any other provision of the telecommunications legislation, a treaty or international agreement on the subject, or violates a decision taken on the basis of such provisions and notified to him with an indication of the penalties available under this Article, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding CHF 5000.
Articles 14 to 18 of the Federal Act of 22 March 19741 on Administrative Criminal Law apply.
1 Offences within the meaning of Articles 52 to 54 shall be prosecuted and adjudicated by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Act of 22 March 19741 on Administrative Criminal Law.
2 The Department may delegate to the Office the tasks of prosecution and adjudication of offences, as well as the enforcement of decisions.
1 The Federal Council shall elect a Federal Communications Commission consisting of five to seven members and shall appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The members must be independent specialists.
2 The Commission shall not be required to follow instructions from the Federal Council or the Department when taking its decisions. It shall be independent of the administrative authorities. It shall have its own secretariat.
3 The Commission shall adopt rules relating to its organisation and management, which must be approved by the Federal Council.
4 The Commission shall be funded by administrative charges. The Federal Council shall regulate the details.
1 The Commission shall perform the duties and take the decisions for which it is responsible in terms of this Act and its implementing provisions. It shall inform the public of its activities and produce a report each year for the Federal Council.
2 For the purpose of implementing telecommunications legislation, the Commission may seek the assistance of the Office and give it instructions.
1 The Office shall ensure that international telecommunications law, this Act, its implementing provisions, and licences are complied with. It may assign certain surveillance tasks to organisations incorporated under private law and co-operate with such organisations.
restrict, suspend, revoke or withdraw the licence or restrict, suspend or totally forbid the activity of the legal or natural person responsible for the infringement.
3 The Office shall withdraw the licence if essential conditions for granting it cease to be fulfilled.
4 If the licence has been granted by the Commission, the Commission shall take the corresponding measures based on the proposal made by the Office.
5 The competent authority may take precautionary measures.
3 The Federal Council shall regulate the details.
1 If an enterprise infringes the applicable law, the licence or a decision having force of law, it may be required to pay an amount up to 10 percent of the amount of its average turnover in Switzerland in the last three financial years.
2 Cases of failure to comply shall be investigated by the Office. It shall judge the cases which do not lie within the competency of the Commission in accordance with Article 58 paragraph 4.
3 When assessing the penalty, the competent authority shall take account in particular of the gravity of the infringement and the enterprise's financial situation.
1 Repealed by Annex No 86 of the Administrative Court Act of 17 June 2005, with effect from 1 Jan. 2007 (AS 2006 2197; BBl 2001 4202).
1 The Federal Council shall implement this Act. The responsibility of the Commission is reserved.
2 The Federal Council may delegate to the Office the duty of adopting the necessary administrative and technical regulations.
1 The Federal Council shall have authority to conclude international agreements on matters falling within the ambit of this Act.
2 It may delegate that authority to the Office in the case of international agreements relating to technical or administrative matters.
The Federal Telecommunications Act of 21 June 19911 is repealed.
1 The services provided on the commencement of the Amendment of 24 March 2006 as part of a telecommunications services licence are deemed to have been notified as defined in Article 4 paragraph 1. The radiocommunications licences which are included in the rescinded telecommunications services licences remain valid and acquire the terms and conditions associated therewith.
2 The existing conditions for the universal service licence under the old law shall apply until the expiry of its term.
1 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
1 Repealed by No II 31 of the FA of 20 March 2008 on the Formal Revision of Federal Legislation, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).
1 The amendments may be consulted under AS 1997 2187.
1 [BS 1 3]. Art. 92 of the Constitution of 18 Apr. 1999 corresponds today to the cited provision (SR 101).2 Amended by Annex No 5 of the FA of 6 Oct. 2000 on the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications, in force since 1 Jan. 2002 (AS 2001 3096; BBl 1998 4241).3 BBl 1996 III 14054 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).5 Inserted by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).6 Amended by No I of the FA of 24 March 2006, in force since 1 Apr. 2007 (AS 2007 921; BBl 2003 7951).7 FCD of 6 Oct. 1997 (AS 1997 2205).

References: Art. 106
 Art. 15
 Art. 333
 Art. 333
 Art. 333
 Art. 92