In a letter it sent today to the European Commission, the Federal Council declared its readiness to engage in dialogue with the EU in order to reach a mutually satisfactory solution to these three outstanding matters which would allow it to sign the agreement and present it to Parliament. In its letter, the Federal Council also emphasised the importance of respecting internal procedures in the search for solutions in order to ensure strong support for the agreement.

These roaming charges are borne mainly by customers with low cost pay-as-you-go plans. Most Swiss mobile phone users on subscriptions have some free roaming included in their monthly package.

Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter, the parliamentarian who put the motion forward, argued that it is only logical for the residents of a nation in the centre of Europe to have open unrestricted access to telecommunications in Europe in the digital era. In addition, she argued that tourists and entrepreneurs might hesitate to come to Switzerland and that this could have a negative economic impact.

Those against the plan argued that decisions on roaming should be left to operators and the market. In addition, they explained that the Swiss government cannot unilaterally create laws that will force changes abroad. Roaming charges are to some extent a reflection of the deals struck between Swiss and foreign operators on using each other’s networks.

To secure an agreement with the EU, it has therefore instructed the FDFA, along with the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and the Federal Department of Justice and Police, to closely involve the social partners and the cantons in the process going forward.

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