Customers of cable TV service from UPC (formerly Cablecom) receive 80 TV channels which can be view directly on most newer televisions without a separate decoder. Radio channels can also be received. A fixed-line telephone connection and a slow Internet connection is also available upon request.
From April, 2018, UPC will charge a basic monthly fee of 39.90 francs for its connection. This fee applies to the majority of UPC customers. Customers with Connect and Connect & Play contracts do not need to pay this fee if they inform their landlords about their contracts.
Over the last five years, UPC has increased its cable connection fees on an annual basis. In 2013, UPC charged 24.10 francs for a cable connection. From April 2018 the cost of a connection will be 39.90 francs per month. That is a price increase of around 66 percent over a five-year period.
Many home renters pay this fee without even knowing it. The reason for this is that many landlords maintain a cable connection and add pass on the fees to renters as part of the additional costs charged along with rents. However, in Switzerland every home renter has the right to terminate a cable connection if they choose to.
Verdict from moneyland.ch telecom expert Ralf Beyeler
“Not again” is Ralf Beyeler’s reaction to the UPC announcement. Switzerland’s largest cable TV service provider has been increasing its fee on an annual basis. Now consumers must pay nearly 40 francs per month for a limited, basic service with TV and radio, phone and a slow Internet connection.
Over the past five years, the overall change in Swiss consumer prices was -1.1%. UPC, on the contrary, has raised its prices by 66%.
A comparison with prices charged by other cable network operators shows interesting results. For example, the cable network operator which services Pratteln charges a monthly fee of 11.77 francs for its cable connection – but a phone and Internet connection are not included in that price.
More on this topic:
Home phone plan comparison
TV package comparison
Internet and broadband comparison
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