It is understandable that emotions can run high whenever changes are made that affect our customers’ wallets. However, the market in which Swisscom operates continues to push down prices. If we are to keep offering our customers the best network and the best customer experiences, we have a duty to invest every single franc wisely. This is the motivation behind our concerted focus on digital processes, and billing is no exception. Sending out paper bills costs us tens of millions every year. We do not feel that all of our customers should have to bear these costs, just as not all customers should have to bear the costs of those who pay their bills at the post office counter. With this in mind, as of October, we will be imposing such charges only on the specific customers who incur the costs. We will also be offering alternative, free forms of billing and will be supporting customers wishing to switch.
Customers using one of the basic service products will not be charged extra for paper billing. For all other customers, options such as electronic invoicing, credit card payments via the Customer Center or online banking are very straightforward these days. As an alternative to paying at the post office counter, customers will, with effect from October, also be able to pay their bills free of charge at any Swisscom Shop. Besides cash, we also accept all common payment methods, including debit/credit card, TWINT etc. Customers also have the option of setting up a direct debit with their bank. Our front-line employees will be happy to advise customers of the most appropriate option for them depending on their degree of digital confidence.
We are essentially passing on the charge levied by Swiss Post for providing the service. When customers pay their bills at Swiss Post counters, it is time consuming and incurs high internal costs and expenses that could not be covered by the existing 1:1 charge. This process cannot be automated. Despite a drop in post office payments since 2016, there has been little reduction in the manual effort required at Swisscom. Some customers, for example, always use the same reference number, pay more than one bill at a time or use paying-in slips that have been filled in by hand – all such cases still have to be processed manually. This is why customers now incur a standard charge of CHF 3.– for paying in at a Swiss Post counter, in line with standard industry practice, which covers the costs and expenses incurred by Swisscom.
We want to encourage a change of mindset amongst our customers. Paper and postage are not sustainable. In our experience, information campaigns and incentives, such as fundraising activities for the WWF or SOS Children’s Villages, are not motivational enough to bring about a change in customer behaviour. It is for this reason, as well as the previously mentioned changes in the market and the ease of electronic payments, that we have taken the decision to pass on the costs more proportionally to the customer as of October. We offer our customers a wide range of attractive offers and discounts in other areas. They also enjoy ever-increasing mobile connection speeds, for example, and free roaming. These are all aspects that bring real value. We are committed to continuing to offer and invest in benefits such as these in the future, rather than offering discounts for certain payment methods.
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Swisscom
Media Relations
Alte Tiefenaustrasse 6
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media@swisscom.com
Marc Werner, 52, has managed the Sales & Services division at Swisscom since 2016. He has been a member of the Group Executive Board since 2014.