Telecom network operator Swisscom recently said it made an investment of CHF 1,737 million or $1,729 million, down 0.6 percent, towards capital expenditure (Capex) in the first nine months of 2015.

The network investment of Swisscom in Switzerland increased 5.7 percent to CHF 1,302 million as a result of the expansion of broadband networks. Swisscom had connected more than 2.5 million homes and businesses to its ultra-fast broadband service offering 50 Mbps speed. The Switzerland-based telecom network operator offered fiber-optic technology to around 1.7 million lines.

Swisscom said its 4G / LTE network reached 98 percent of all Swisscom customers. It announced Advanced Calling to improve voice quality and coverage in homes in the last quarter, increasing 4G LTE network capacity.

The telecom network operator said it invested CHF 459 million or $457 million (-2.3 percent) towards Capex in the third quarter of 2015.

Swisscom is transmitting 70 percent of total mobile data traffic on the 4G / LTE network. The volume of mobile data transmitted doubled in the first three quarters of 2015. Swisscom will discontinue the outdated 2G network in Switzerland at the end of 2020 in order to free up frequencies for the new 5G technology.

Swisscom said it expects Capex of more than CHF 2.3 billion in 2015. Capex in Switzerland will not grow from the prior year at CHF 1.75 billion. Focus will be the expansion of the ultra-fast broadband network and investments in the IT platform for banking transactions.

The investment by Fastweb will decline by CHF 100 million in 2015. Fastweb added 7.7 percent more broadband customers to 2.17 million. Fastweb’s revenue in Italy increased 4.6 percent to 1,286 million euros. ARPU from broadband customer in the residential customer segment fell around 3 percent.

Swisscom is expecting to create new jobs in growth areas and reduce the workforce in other areas. Swisscom anticipates a slightly lower headcount for 2016 from 17,176 in September 2015.

In the first nine months of 2015, Swisscom posted an increase in net revenue of CHF 22 million or 0.3 percent to CHF 8,651 million. As per the earnings guidance, Swisscom expects net revenue of more than CHF 11.5 billion in 2015.

Baburajan K
[email protected]