Is fiber internet available at my address?

Whether fiber internet is available depends on whether your building is connected to a fiber-optic network and whether your apartment has an optical telecommunications outlet, known as an OTO outlet. Only an address-specific availability check with a provider can give you a definitive answer. Maps such as the broadband atlas from the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) show coverage in an area, not in an individual apartment.

How can I tell if my apartment has a fiber-optic connection?

The clearest indication is an optical telecommunications outlet in your apartment, known as an OTO outlet. It has a unique identifier called the OTO ID. This number is assigned only once and is printed directly on the outlet. The operator numbers used to create these identifiers are managed by the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM).

The OTO ID usually starts with an A or B followed by a sequence of numbers. The outlet is typically located in the living room, entrance area, or hallway. In newer buildings, it is often located in the multimedia cabinet.

Schematic illustration of an OTO outlet showing the OTO ID on the label and four numbered fiber-optic ports.

An existing OTO outlet means that fiber has been installed up to your apartment. However, it does not automatically mean that the connection has been activated. An availability check is required to determine whether a provider can use the fiber connection.

If no OTO ID is visible on your outlet, your property management company or property owner may be able to help. More information is available on Green's fiber-optic outlet (OTO outlet) page.

How do I check fiber availability at my address?

Only a provider can check availability for your specific address. There are three ways to obtain information, each with a different level of accuracy:

MethodWhat it showsAccuracy
Provider availability checkWhich internet plans and connection types are available at your addressAddress-specific
OTO outlet in the apartmentWhether fiber has been installed up to the apartmentApartment-specific, but does not indicate provider availability or activation status
OFCOM broadband atlasConnection types, speeds, and active providers in the area250 by 250 meter grid squares

The fastest option is the first one: enter your address on Green's internet plan page to see which connection types and internet plans are available there.

Check internet availability at my address

OFCOM's broadband atlas is updated twice a year. Participation by network operators is voluntary, and operators that do not provide data do not appear on the maps. The atlas is useful for getting an overview of coverage in a municipality, but not for determining availability in an individual apartment.

OFCOM broadband atlas

Why does a map show fiber coverage even though my connection is not fiber?

Because maps show coverage areas rather than individual buildings. There are three common reasons:

  • Connected and unconnected buildings can be located next to each other within the same 250 by 250 meter grid square.
  • In some cases, the fiber connection ends at the building (Fiber to the Building) rather than in the apartment (Fiber to the Home). Only Fiber to the Home extends the fiber connection all the way to the OTO outlet.
  • Network operators provide their data voluntarily. If an operator is missing from the map, this does not mean that no service is available at the address.

What can I do if fiber is not available at my address?

If fiber is not available, you can still use a connection over the copper network, which is sufficient for many households. Green offers download speeds of up to 500 Mbps over copper and up to 10,000 Mbps over fiber. The bigger difference is in upload speed: copper connections are asymmetric, while fiber connections are symmetric.

If a network expansion is planned, network operators provide information in advance.

In a rental apartment, the property owner also decides whether a fiber-optic connection can be installed.

How can I see which internet service is available at my address?

Enter your address on Green's internet plan page to see which internet plans are available at your location. Green uses the networks of Swisscom, Salt, and numerous local network operators and selects the highest-performing available network for each location. The availability check therefore covers both fiber and DSL connections.

Check internet availability at my address

FAQ

  • Does having an OTO outlet mean I can use fiber internet immediately?

    No. An OTO outlet indicates that fiber has been installed up to the apartment. Whether the connection has been activated and which provider can use it depends on the network operator and the selected internet plan. The provider's availability check will provide this information.

  • What is the difference between Fiber to the Home and Fiber to the Building?

    With Fiber to the Home (FTTH), the fiber-optic line is installed all the way to the apartment or home and terminates at the OTO outlet. With Fiber to the Building (FTTB), the fiber-optic line terminates in the building, and the final section to the apartment uses a different type of connection.

  • How can I find out whether fiber expansion is planned for my address?

    Network operators publish expansion information for their own networks. OFCOM's broadband atlas provides a nationwide overview of current coverage in Switzerland, but only in grid squares rather than for individual buildings.