More freedom for your digital projects
Would you like to use an additional fiber-optic socket to the existing socket in your home or business? Or do you require an internet-based service for a project elsewhere within your property?
With the new fiber-optic technology (FTTH Fiber to the Home), you benefit from internet speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. You can access the ultra-fast fiber-optic network (FTTH) via a fiber-optic socket to cover your personal or business needs, such as fast surfing, fast downloads and the best TV experiences.
Additional fiber-optic socket
With an additional fiber-optic socket (special usage OTO), you can provide top notch internet for a variety of use cases such as a hobby room, a photovoltaic installation or your building control system. You decide where the additional fiber-optic socket is placed in consultation with the owner(s) of the property. Other technical requirements and individual requests can also be accommodated in addition to the examples already mentioned.
Order Requirements
Services and estimated costs
Estimated costs: 1 additional fiber-optic socket with 1 plug = approx. CHF 2,000, each additional plug an additional CHF 1,000
What is an optical fiber outlet (OTO)?
The fiber optic outlet or "OTO" (= Optical Telecommunications Outlet) is the optical interface between the end device and the ultra-fast fiber optic network.
Questions & answers
What is a fiber-optic socket (OTO)?
A fiber-optic socket, also called an OTO (optical telecommunications outlet), is the optical interface between terminal equipment and the ultra-fast fiber-optic network.
It is labelled with a unique identification number known as the OTO identification code. This is requested by providers in connection with service orders.
What is a plug?
A plug (slot) is a connection on the fiber-optic socket. You can plug the router cable into a plug. A fiber-optic socket has up to four plugs (numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4).
What is an (internet-based) service?
An (internet-based) service is a subscription offered by a telecommunications service provider for use of the internet, TV or a fixed network. To use the service on optical fiber, the router cable is plugged into one of the socket’s four plugs (slots).
Why is an extra fiber-optic socket being installed in addition to the residential/commercial fiber-optic socket?
The expansion of residential and commercial fiber-optic sockets is tailored to the changing needs of tenants/owners in the respective properties (placement in a normal location for use of services, e.g. the living room). The residential and commercial fiber-optic sockets are being installed as part of the regular optical fiber expansion as well as for FTTH on demand and new buildings. The additional fiber-optic socket is an extension to the optical fiber expansion, which includes one fiber-optic socket per home or business unit. For this reason, the additional fiber-optic socket is listed separately from the residential or commercial fiber-optic socket in Swisscom IT systems.
Who can order an additional fibre-optic socket and who is charged for it?
The additional fibre-optic socket can be ordered either by the building owner(s) or by third parties. Unless a different billing address is specified by the ordering party, the bill is sent to the party that orders the additional fibre-optic socket. In any case, the ordering party is liable for the timely payment of the agreed amount.
Is an additional fiber-optic socket always connected using the point-to-point (P2P) architecture?
In principle, additional fiber-optic sockets are connected using the same architecture as the existing residential or commercial fiber-optic sockets. Generally speaking, this is the point-to-point architecture.
connectnow requires a Swisscom login. Can I also register without being a Swisscom customer?
Yes, any natural or legal entity can register on connectnow.
Can I use all four plugs?
You can only activate services on as many plugs as you specified per additional fiber-optic socket when ordering. If plugs have not been ordered, there is no connection to the Swisscom exchange and a service order can therefore not be placed. If additional services are needed at a later point in time, this connection must be established. Each plug requires a separate service contract with a provider.
Your provider will tell you which plug number your service has when you order the service.
Can I freely choose where additional fiber-optic sockets are placed?
Additional fiber-optic sockets are installed for a specific purpose and are therefore placed in the most suitable location. However, there are restrictions due to safety reasons (e.g. electrical distributors, protective bunkers, etc.). The desired location may differ from the actual feasible location for technical reasons.
Can the additional fiber-optic socket be used for all services?
An installed and inventoried additional fiber-optic socket can be used to order and use the same services as a residential or commercial fiber-optic socket.
Can an additional plug on the existing fiber-optic socket be subsequently activated within the building (in-house) if so wished?
If necessary, it is possible to activate an additional plug after a review of the request. A maximum of four plugs can be operated.
How is the use of additional fiber-optic sockets in common areas regulated?
There will be no restrictions on who can connect to services in common areas. The owner of the site is also the owner of the fiber-optic socket in the common area and assumes responsibility/liability for it.
Where can additional fiber-optic sockets be installed and where not?
Additional fiber-optic sockets can essentially be positioned freely in consultation with the owner(s). However, there are restrictions due to safety reasons (e.g. electrical distributors, protective bunkers, etc.).
Can additional fiber-optic sockets be ordered everywhere in Switzerland?
No, not at the moment. Unlike FTTH on demand (= early FTTH rollout), an additional fiber-optic socket requires an existing FTTH expansion, either by Swisscom or a cooperation partner.
How many additional fiber-optic sockets can be ordered for a building?
In principle, there is no general requirement or restriction in this regard. However, the additional fiber-optic sockets must serve a dedicated purpose or be used to obtain services after installation. Additional fiber-optic sockets and plugs will not be installed as a reserve measure.
Why is there a delay in the availability of the additional fiber-optic socket in cooperation areas?
This is due to procedural and technical reasons. To ensure that orders in cooperation areas can be processed efficiently in terms of the procedure applied, a pilot project is currently underway in Zurich. This is aiming to establish a partially automated ordering process. In areas in which Swisscom alone is installing the fiber-optic network and in the pilot project in Zurich, additional fiber-optic sockets can be installed in addition to residential or commercial fiber-optic sockets when new buildings are being developed. Additional fiber-optic sockets can only be installed if an agreement is reached with the cooperation partner on the installation of additional fiber-optic sockets.
Can additional fiber-optic sockets be ordered while a property is being connected to the fiber-optic network?
For procedural and technical reasons, no additional fiber-optic sockets can be ordered during the large-scale optical fiber expansion. However, it is possible to order additional fiber-optic sockets within an FTTH on demand connection and in the case of new buildings.