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Government delays Swisscom decision

The government wants more time to think about Swisscom's future Keystone Archive

The government on Wednesday announced it had postponed until next year a decision on selling its majority stake in Swisscom so it can study alternatives for the operator's future.

A statement from the cabinet office said the government believed there was now less pressure for a quick decision.

“Initially, it was expected that consolidation in the telecommunications sector would happen very quickly. In the meantime, a certain soberness has returned to the international telecommunications sector,” it said.

It also added that it did not expect approval for a planned sale at the current time.

The government had planned to put a proposal to the popular vote asking for approval to sell its stake in Swisscom and use the proceeds towards creating a postbank for the postal service. It has now dropped the idea.

The government has a 65.5 per cent stake in Swisscom.

swissinfo with agencies

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