Sunrise and Salt plan to deepen their rural network cooperation in Switzerland. The Swiss operators have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to study wider infrastructure sharing.
The plan targets rural and less populated areas. These regions often face higher rollout costs and lower commercial returns. By coordinating network sites, both operators aim to improve coverage outside major cities.
Under the proposed arrangement, the companies would share mobile sites more efficiently. They would also coordinate parts of their RAN deployments. RAN means the radio access network, which connects devices to mobile services.
This approach could help customers in harder-to-reach communities. Better site planning may reduce coverage gaps and improve service reliability. It could also support faster upgrades where demand keeps growing.
However, network sharing always needs careful oversight. Operators must protect competition, customer choice, and service differentiation. Sunrise and Salt stated they will remain fully independent market rivals.
The companies are also reviewing MOCN, or Multi-Operator Core Network. In simple terms, MOCN lets operators share parts of the radio network. Each company can still run its own core systems and customer services.
This model can reduce duplicated spending in remote areas. Operators can then redirect investment to locations needing stronger capacity. It may also accelerate 5G coverage beyond urban centres.
Still, technical integration can become complex. Shared infrastructure needs clear governance and strong operational coordination. Fault management, upgrade timing, and performance targets must align between both companies.
Regulators will also study the plan closely. Authorities usually welcome better rural connectivity. Yet they must ensure partnerships do not weaken competitive pressure.
The proposal remains at an early stage. Sunrise and Salt still need detailed technical assessments. They also require the necessary regulatory approvals before expanding the cooperation.
The move builds on a longer relationship between both operators. In 2020, they launched a strategic fibre partnership. That deal focused on an FTTH platform for ultrafast broadband across Switzerland.
The latest agreement shows a broader industry trend. Operators increasingly share infrastructure where economics become difficult. Rural mobile coverage remains expensive, especially in mountainous or low-density regions.
For telecom engineers, the project will be worth watching. It could show how rural collaboration balances efficiency and competition. If approved, it may become a model for other European markets.
