Phone Number Regulations — Switzerland

Overview

Switzerland has a fully liberalized telecommunications market with comprehensive regulations on number portability. Regulation is handled by BAKOM (Federal Office of Communications), which reports to DETEC (Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications).

Regulatory authority

BAKOM — Federal Office of Communications
Responsible for managing the Swiss numbering plan (E.164), allocating number blocks to providers, and enforcing porting regulations.

Legal basis: Telecommunications Act (FMG) and the associated Ordinance on Telecommunications Services (FDV).

Number portability

Number portability has been legally mandated in Switzerland since 2000. Customers have the right to take their phone number with them when switching providers.

Key facts

• Fixed-line porting: Yes, fully supported
• Mobile porting: Yes, fully supported
• Porting duration: Typically 5–10 business days for fixed-line, mobile porting is not offered
• Cost: The losing provider may not charge the customer for porting
• Individual numbers and blocks: Both individual numbers and entire number blocks can be ported

Required documents

1. Porting authorization (LOA) — Written authorization from the number holder, authorizing the new provider to port
2. Current invoice or contract confirmation — Proof that the number belongs to the applicant
3. Commercial register extract — For business customers to verify signing authority

Important notes

• Geographic numbers (e.g., 044 for Zurich) can only be ported within the same area code zone — with VoIP, this restriction doesn't apply since the location is virtual.
• Porting typically takes place outside business hours or at an agreed time to minimize downtime.

Number types in Switzerland

• Geographic numbers (+41 xx) — Local area numbers (e.g., 044 Zurich, 031 Bern, 061 Basel). Available from Virtual-Call as VoIP numbers in all area codes.
• Mobile numbers (+41 7x) — Porting and provisioning of mobile numbers is not offered by Virtual-Call.
• Toll-free numbers (0800) — Free service numbers. Available through Virtual-Call.
• Premium-rate numbers (0900/0901/0906) — Paid service numbers. Subject to strict BAKOM regulations.

Virtual-Call availability

Virtual-Call offers the full range of services in Switzerland:

• New geographic phone numbers in all Swiss area codes
• Porting of existing fixed-line numbers
• 0800 service numbers
• Number blocks for businesses (e.g., 044 xxx xx 00–99)