Salt and Sunrise Plan Expanded Network Collaboration

Salt and Sunrise signed a memorandum of understanding on August 24, 2026. Through this agreement, the two mobile network operators are exploring ways to expand their existing network partnership in rural and less densely populated areas of Switzerland. The focus is on closer collaboration in the area of mobile network infrastructure—with the goal of offering customers throughout Switzerland more comprehensive network coverage, better reception, and more reliable connections.

Better connectivity outside cities

More than half of the Swiss population lives outside urban centers. Despite lower usage density, extensive mobile communications infrastructure is necessary to provide coverage in rural areas. About 70 percent of all Salt and Sunrise cell sites are located in moderately populated and rural areas. Closer cooperation is intended to address the challenges of providing coverage in these areas through more efficient shared use and coordinated further development of the infrastructure.

André Krause, CEO of Sunrise, states: «People in rural areas should benefit from the same first-class network quality that is offered in cities. However, due to the lower number of users per site, network expansion and operation have not been as efficient up to now. We want to change that through expanded collaboration between Sunrise and Salt. If more cell sites are available to our customers, they will benefit from even greater network coverage and an enhanced user experience.»

Max Nunziata, CEO of Salt, adds: «Our customers want a high-performance and reliable mobile network throughout Switzerland. The planned collaboration offers the opportunity to further improve connectivity in rural areas while simultaneously preparing the network infrastructure for the growing demands of the future. If we expand the mobile network in coordination with Sunrise, customers will benefit from a noticeable improvement in quality, while both companies remain independent competitors.»

Technical Model: Multi-Operator Core Network Sharing

At the heart of the planned collaboration is a so-called Multi-Operator Core Network Sharing (MOCN) in the mobile radio access network (RAN). Under this model, selected antenna sites will be connected to both companies’ core networks, allowing customers to use parts of the other provider’s network as well. Similar forms of network cooperation are already established in numerous countries and enable mobile network providers to use their infrastructure more efficiently while remaining independent competitors in the market.

During a planning and technical evaluation phase, the technical, operational, economic, legal, and regulatory requirements are now being reviewed, and the potential scope and implementation approach are being further defined. The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has been informed of the project. The conclusion of binding agreements and potential implementation depend on the results of this evaluation phase and the necessary regulatory approvals.

Both companies will remain independent

The planned expansion of the partnership is limited exclusively to mobile network infrastructure. Salt and Sunrise will retain their own core networks, licenses, and full control over spectrum, network strategy, brand management, offerings, pricing, sales, marketing, and customer relationships. Both companies will continue to operate as independent competitors in the Swiss market.

Salt and Sunrise’s mobile networks have repeatedly received the highest rating of «Outstanding» in the renowned connect mobile network test. Given the rising demand for mobile connectivity, both companies see an opportunity to further improve network quality outside densely populated areas through a more coordinated and efficient use of mobile network infrastructure.

Source: Salt