UPC Schweiz

What UPC Schweiz does

UPC Schweiz, operating commercially as Sunrise GmbH, is a tier-1 Swiss telecommunications provider headquartered in Zurich. The company operates a multi-stream subscription platform spanning mobile (Swiss Connect Mobile, prepaid, Sunrise Young), fixed broadband (fiber/FTTH and 5G home internet), and IPTV (Sunrise TV), supported by a proprietary 5G Standalone (SA) mobile network that the company claims is the largest by coverage in Switzerland with the fastest average nationwide download speeds. Underlying infrastructure includes fiber-to-the-home, fixed-line telephony, eSIM, and Wi-Fi Calling capabilities, with technical differentiation anchored in network quality rather than proprietary software.

The business model is built primarily on recurring monthly subscriptions (mobile plans from CHF 29.90, internet from CHF 39.90), augmented by device sales and Flex Upgrade device-financing programs, usage-based roaming, and an expanding layer of value-added services: insurance (Sunrise Versicherungen), home security, cybersecurity (Sunrise Protect), mobile payments (Sunrise Pay), and integrated third-party streaming (Disney+, YouTube Premium, HBO Max). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via sunrise.ch e-commerce, a physical Sunrise Shops retail network, a 0800 sales hotline, and a dedicated Sunrise Business division serving enterprise customers; partnership channels with Samsung, Apple, SBB, and Swiss-Ski extend brand reach and youth-segment acquisition. Customer segmentation is hybrid, addressing private consumers (with sub-segments for youth and families), business customers, and device-financing borrowers, with switching-cost reinforcement through bundled triple-play offerings, Family Benefit multi-line discounts, and Sunrise Rewards loyalty program.

Name

UPC Schweiz

Legal name

Sunrise GmbH

Website

https://upc.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Sunrise (formerly UPC Schweiz) is a Zurich-headquartered Swiss telecommunications provider operating the country's largest 5G Standalone network, delivering mobile, fiber broadband, IPTV, and integrated entertainment, insurance, and device-financing services to private and business customers across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Roaming & Interconnect Services (roaming hubs, IREG/TADIG, clearing) (HDAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Network Monitoring, Assurance & Managed NOC Services (SLA Ops) (HDAIAGAJ)

Keywords

• Mobile telecommunications
• Broadband internet
• Digital television
• Fiber optic network
• Entertainment bundles

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Mobile Subscriptions: Recurring monthly subscription revenue from mobile phone plans including voice, data, and SMS services. Plans include various tiers such as Swiss Connect, Sunrise Young, and prepaid options with optional roaming and data add-ons.
2. Internet & TV Bundles: Monthly subscriptions for internet connectivity and television entertainment services, offered as standalone internet, combined internet+TV, or triple-play bundles (Internet, TV & Mobile).
3. Device Sales & Financing: Sales of smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs, and other devices through installment financing plans (Flex Upgrade, Flex Premium Bundle) and one-time purchases.
4. Roaming Services: International roaming charges for usage outside Switzerland, including travel passes and data packages valid for multiple countries up to 12 months.
5. Streaming & Entertainment Add-ons: Partnership-based streaming services including YouTube Premium, HBO Max, and Disney+ offered as add-ons to existing subscriptions.
6. Insurance Services: Device and service protection plans offered through Sunrise Versicherungen partnerships.
7. Home Security: Home security monitoring and smart home integration services bundled as Home Security packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

UPC Schweiz, operating as Sunrise GmbH, is a Swiss telecommunications provider that sells mobile telephony subscriptions, broadband internet, digital television, and bundled entertainment services to residential and business customers across Switzerland. The company delivers these services over its own 5G mobile network and fiber-optic fixed-line infrastructure, with offerings typically packaged as quad-play bundles combining mobile, internet, TV, and streaming content.

Product overview

Sunrise (operating as UPC Schweiz) is a Swiss telecommunications provider offering a unified platform of mobile, internet, TV, and entertainment services. The core product portfolio includes Swiss Connect Mobile for cellular services, Sunrise Internet for fixed broadband (including fiber and 5G home options), and Sunrise TV for streaming television content. Supporting services include roaming, eSIM technology, 5G Standalone network access, and Wi-Fi Calling. The company provides value-added services such as Sunrise Protect (cybersecurity), Sunrise Pay (payments), Sunrise Versicherungen (insurance), and Home Security. Device offerings include smartphones through Flex Upgrade financing and Smart WiFi Extender for home coverage. Loyalty and customer engagement is managed through Sunrise Rewards, while service management is handled via Connect App and Sunrise Cockpit portal. The company also offers bundled packages through Iconic Bundle and has youth-specific offerings via Sunrise Young.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% discount on additional Swiss Connect Mobile lines with Family Benefit program
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Disney+minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisney+ streaming service partnership offering promotional deals to Sunrise customers, including 6 months of Disney+ as a gift/promotion with Sunrise subscriptions.
• YouTube PremiumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouTube Premium partnership enabling Sunrise to offer YouTube Premium as a bundled add-on service to its customer base.
• HBO MaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHBO Max streaming service available as a new offering through Sunrise entertainment packages.
• Swiss-SkicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partnership with Swiss Ski, the Swiss national skiing federation, providing exclusive offerings, content, and brand association with Swiss winter sports.
• SBB (Swiss Federal Railways)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering Sunrise Young customers 50% discount on SBB Half-Tax travel card, combining telecommunications and public transportation benefits.
• SamsungcoreTechnology or IntegrationDevice partnership featuring exclusive Samsung products including Galaxy Z series, Galaxy Watch, and promotional offers such as free Samsung TVs with service packages.
• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationDevice partnership offering Apple products including iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 16, MacBook Air promotions, and AirPods Pro 3 as gifts with subscriptions.
• Insurance Partners (for Sunrise Versicherungen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance products offered through partnerships providing device protection and insurance services to Sunrise customers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Swisscom: Swiss incumbent offering mobile, fixed broadband, IPTV, and bundled services across Switzerland. Closest direct competitor to Sunrise in every product line and customer segment.
• Salt Mobile: Third major Swiss mobile network operator offering postpaid, prepaid, and home internet. Competes head-to-head with Sunrise on price and 5G positioning in the Swiss consumer market.
• Liberty Global: Pan-European cable and mobile operator group historically associated with Sunrise/UPC. Operates integrated broadband, mobile, and TV bundles with similar technology stack and go-to-market.

Broad incumbents

• Vodafone: Major European mobile and fixed-line carrier with bundled TV/entertainment offerings. Comparable integrated telecom model and consumer/business segmentation, though operating across multiple countries.
• Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile): Europe's largest integrated telecom group with mobile, fixed broadband, and IPTV. Comparable 5G rollout scale, bundling strategy, and device partnership ecosystem.
• Orange: French-headquartered integrated carrier offering mobile, broadband, and TV across multiple European markets. Similar converged services portfolio and consumer/business segmentation.
• Telefónica (O2): Spanish-origin telecom group with mobile and fixed operations across Europe. Competes in converged bundles and shares a similar device-led marketing approach with flagship partnerships.

Regional players

• Proximus: Belgian integrated telecom offering mobile, fiber, and TV. Comparable full-stack operator model within a single national market, though geographically distinct.
• KPN: Dutch incumbent offering mobile, fixed, and TV services. Similar converged bundle model and consumer focus, but operates in a different national market.
• Telenor: Nordic-headquartered mobile and broadband operator with multi-country footprint. Comparable mobile-first strategy and device/telco bundle structure, but geographically distinct.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SunriseSpots
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upc-schweiz-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/sunrise_schweiz
• Xx.com/upc_switzerland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UPC Schweiz