Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss firms will not be compensated if 5G found to be harmful

The Swiss government will apply the precautionary principle to fifth generation mobile communications (5G) and can tighten existing laws in the face of new scientific evidence on risks.  

More
5G Antenna

More

Swiss fear effects of 5G antennas

This content was published on Fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications antennas are starting to go up in Switzerland. Not everyone is happy about this.

Read more: Swiss fear effects of 5G antennas

Mobile operators that have invested in 5G technology will not be financially compensated by the state if stricter laws are introduced, the Federal Council responded on Thursday to a parliamentarian’s question. The financial cost of complying with scientifically-backed new legislation will have to be borne by the telecom companies. There was acknowledgement of the World Health Organization’s decision to classify high frequency radiation as potentially carcinogenic to humans but the government pointed out the absence of relevant long-term studies. 

Hence, the Federal Council has taken these grey areas into account based on the precautionary principle. It has set stricter installation limit values for sensitive areas likes homes, schools, hospitals, offices, playgrounds, etc.  to ensure low-level exposure over the long term. 

When it comes to compensating victims of harmful exposure, several existing legal provisions would make it possible to demand compensation, provided a causal link can be proven. As of now, the law does not provide for the creation of a mutual compensation fund financed by mobile telephone operators. 

More
Workers on an antenna

More

Swiss cantons lack clout to ban 5G mobile network

This content was published on The cantons of Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel and Vaud are reported to have declared or to be considering a moratorium on 5G antennas. The issue is also reportedly on the agenda in Bern, St Gallen and Schwyz. But an OfcomExternal link spokesperson told the SonntagsZeitung newspaper on Sunday that the federal authorities alone are responsible for…

Read more: Swiss cantons lack clout to ban 5G mobile network


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Mark Thomson to become CERN's new General Manager from 2026

More

CERN selects new director-general

This content was published on The CERN Council has chosen British physicist Mark Thomson as the organisation's next director-general.

Read more: CERN selects new director-general

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR