Sunrise Communications
A major Swiss telecommunications operator providing mobile, broadband, television, fixed-line, and business communications services.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Sunrise Communications is a Swiss telecommunications brand based in Zurich. It serves consumers, households, small businesses, large enterprises, and public-sector customers with mobile connectivity, fixed broadband, television, fixed-line voice, cloud connectivity, and related digital services. The brand operates in Switzerland, where it competes primarily with Swisscom and other network, cable, and service providers. The modern Sunrise business emerged from the consolidation of Swiss telecommunications assets during the liberalization of the country's communications market. The Sunrise name was introduced nationally in the early 2000s after the combination of the diAx and Sunrise activities. This created an integrated challenger to the incumbent Swisscom, combining mobile operations with fixed-line and internet capabilities. Over time, Sunrise expanded beyond mobile telephony into broadband, television, converged household packages, and business connectivity. Sunrise was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange through Sunrise Communications Group AG in 2015. Its period as an independent listed company was marked by investment in network capacity, the rollout of faster mobile technologies, and efforts to increase customer adoption of bundled services. In 2015, the company was acquired by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners and delisted. It later became the subject of a proposed combination with UPC Switzerland, the Swiss cable operator owned by Liberty Global. Sunrise shareholders rejected the original transaction terms in 2019, but Liberty Global subsequently agreed to acquire Sunrise. The acquisition closed in 2020, after which Sunrise and UPC Switzerland were integrated under Liberty Global's Swiss operations. The brand's service portfolio now spans mobile voice and data, 4G and 5G connectivity, home internet over fiber and cable-based infrastructure, television, fixed telephony, and business communications. Its consumer proposition is centered on converged bundles that combine mobile and home services, while its enterprise activities cover connectivity, managed communications, data networking, and related information and communications technology services. Sunrise also maintains retail, online, customer-service, and partner distribution channels across Switzerland. Sunrise is best understood as a national telecom operator rather than a globally distributed consumer brand. Its importance lies in the Swiss market, where its brand, network investments, and combination with UPC strengthened Liberty Global's position against the country's incumbent and other communications providers. The company remains active under Liberty Global ownership, although particular legal entities, product names, network arrangements, and management structures have changed over time.
History
Sunrise's roots lie in the restructuring and liberalization of the Swiss telecommunications sector during the 1990s. The diAx and Sunrise businesses developed as challengers to Swisscom in mobile and fixed communications. In the early 2000s, these activities were brought together under the Sunrise name, creating a national operator with a broader service base than a mobile-only carrier. The company progressively developed an integrated proposition covering mobile communications, internet access, fixed telephony, and television. This reflected the wider European shift toward converged communications, in which operators sought to sell several services to the same household or business. Sunrise competed by investing in network coverage and capacity while using bundles and alternative distribution to challenge the incumbent operator. Sunrise Communications Group AG became publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 2015. The listing gave the business an independent public-company structure, but the company was acquired later that year by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners and removed from the exchange. Under private ownership, Sunrise continued expanding its network and consumer-service portfolio, including faster mobile generations and packaged home communications. A major strategic phase began with the proposed combination of Sunrise and UPC Switzerland, the Swiss cable operator controlled by Liberty Global. The transaction was intended to combine Sunrise's mobile and telecommunications capabilities with UPC's cable, broadband, and television assets. Sunrise shareholders rejected the initial proposal in 2019, after which Liberty Global pursued an acquisition of Sunrise directly. That acquisition was completed in 2020. Following the transaction, Liberty Global combined its Swiss operations and used Sunrise as the principal consumer-facing brand. The integrated business brought together mobile, fixed broadband, television, fixed voice, and enterprise communications. It also provided a stronger platform for selling converged packages and for coordinating investments across mobile and fixed networks. In the 2020s, the brand has focused on nationwide connectivity, including 5G mobile services, high-speed home broadband, television, and business communications. Its operating identity is that of a Swiss national telecom provider within Liberty Global's international portfolio. The legal entities and ownership arrangements have changed since the brand's creation, but Sunrise remains an active Swiss communications brand serving both residential and business customers.
- 2024
Sunrise becomes independent again
[3]Liberty Global completed the Sunrise spin-off, returning the company to independent public operation and SIX Swiss Exchange trading.
- 2021
André Krause became chief executive
[1]André Krause took over as chief executive during the period of integration and strategic development under Liberty Global ownership.
- 2020
Liberty Global completed its Sunrise acquisition
[2]Liberty Global completed its approximately $7.4 billion acquisition of Sunrise on 11 November; Sunrise became part of Liberty Global, which enabled the integration of Sunrise with UPC Switzerland.
- 2019
Shareholders rejected the original UPC Switzerland transaction
[2]Sunrise shareholders voted against the proposed combination with UPC Switzerland under the initial transaction structure. Sunrise shareholders voted against the proposed combination with UPC Switzerland under the initial transaction structure; Sunrise terminated the planned CHF 6.3 billion acquisition after shareholder opposition blocked the required capital increase.
- 2015
Sunrise Communications Group completed its IPO
[2]The company became listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, establishing a public-market phase for the Sunrise operating group; Sunrise shares began trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
- 2015
CVC acquired Sunrise
[2]Funds advised by CVC Capital Partners acquired the listed company, which was subsequently delisted.
- 2010
CVC acquisition completed
[3]CVC Capital Partners acquired Sunrise for CHF 3.3 billion after regulatory approval.
- 2008
Tele2 Switzerland acquisition announced
[3]Sunrise announced its acquisition of Tele2 Switzerland, adding more than 491,000 customers.
- 2007
Corporate name changes to Sunrise Communications AG
[3]TDC Switzerland AG adopted the Sunrise Communications AG name and introduced a refreshed brand identity.
- 2001
The Sunrise brand was established nationally through the merger of diAx and Sunrise Communications
[2]The two Swiss telecommunications businesses combined, creating the corporate foundation of the present Sunrise operation; the Sunrise name was introduced as the Swiss telecommunications activities associated with diAx and Sunrise were consolidated. The two Swiss telecommunications businesses combined, creating the corporate foundation of the present Sunrise operation.
Products and positioning
A nationwide Swiss challenger and converged communications provider competing through mobile, broadband, television, fixed-line, and business-service bundles.
Mobile telecommunications
Sunrise mobile services
Sunrise provides consumer and business mobile voice and data services across Switzerland. The portfolio includes smartphone plans, mobile internet, roaming-related services, and access to successive mobile network generations, including 4G and 5G. Mobile connectivity is also used as the anchor for converged offers that combine wireless services with home broadband and television. Mobile communications are one of the company's foundational operating areas and remain central to its integrated telecommunications positioning. Sunrise provides mobile telecommunications services for Swiss consumers and businesses, including voice and data connectivity. Mobile communications are one of the company's foundational operating areas and remain central to its integrated telecommunications positioning.
Fixed broadband
Home broadband
Sunrise sells fixed internet access to households using a combination of network technologies, including fiber and cable-based infrastructure. Residential broadband is offered at different speed tiers and is commonly packaged with mobile, television, and fixed voice services. The product is central to the brand's strategy of competing as a converged household communications provider. The company's broadband activities complement its mobile business and support bundled connectivity propositions. Sunrise offers fixed broadband internet services for homes and organizations in Switzerland. The company's broadband activities complement its mobile business and support bundled connectivity propositions.
Pay television and digital media
Television services
Sunrise television services provide households with digital television access and related viewing features. They form part of home bundles alongside broadband and telephony. The television offering reflects the integration of UPC Switzerland's cable and media capabilities with Sunrise's mobile and telecommunications customer base. They are sold alongside internet and other household connectivity products as part of an integrated Swiss communications offering. Sunrise television services form part of the company's multi-service telecommunications portfolio. They are sold alongside internet and other household connectivity products as part of an integrated Swiss communications offering.
Fixed voice communications
Sunrise fixed-line telephony
Fixed voice services are offered to residential and business customers, generally as part of broader connectivity packages. The service complements mobile, broadband, and television products and supports the operator's full-service communications proposition. This offering represents the traditional voice component of Sunrise's broader mobile, broadband, television, and fixed-network service portfolio. The brand provides fixed-line telephone services for residential and business customers. This offering represents the traditional voice component of Sunrise's broader mobile, broadband, television, and fixed-network service portfolio.
Enterprise telecommunications
Business connectivity and ICT services
Sunrise serves business and institutional customers with connectivity, data networking, managed communications, mobile services, and related ICT capabilities. The enterprise portfolio is intended for organizations requiring dependable fixed and wireless access, communications management, and support across multiple locations.
Brand decisions
2024
Spin-off from Liberty GlobalM&ABackground
Liberty Global reorganized its portfolio and separated Sunrise from the group.
Action taken
The spin-off was completed in November 2024, making Sunrise an independent public entity and returning it to the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Aftermath
Sunrise resumed autonomous operations in the Swiss telecommunications market.
2020
Integration of Sunrise and UPC SwitzerlandStrategyBackground
Liberty Global owned both Sunrise and UPC Switzerland after completing the Sunrise acquisition.
Action taken
The two Swiss businesses were brought together operationally and commercially, with Sunrise used as the principal customer-facing brand.
Aftermath
The combined operator gained a broader mix of mobile, fixed broadband, television, fixed voice, and business communications services.
2020
Acquisition by Liberty GlobalM&ABackground
After the failed UPC Switzerland transaction, Liberty Global pursued ownership of Sunrise directly.
Action taken
Liberty Global acquired Sunrise in a transaction announced at approximately $7.4 billion; completion occurred on 11 November 2020.
Aftermath
Sunrise left the public market and operated as part of Liberty Global until its later spin-off.
Acquisition value. $7.4 billion (2020 acquisition announcement)
2019
Shareholder vote on the UPC Switzerland combinationM&ABackground
Sunrise proposed combining with UPC Switzerland in a transaction intended to create a broader Swiss converged communications operator.
Action taken
Shareholders rejected the original transaction terms at a general meeting.
Aftermath
Liberty Global later pursued and completed a direct acquisition of Sunrise, after which Sunrise and UPC Switzerland were integrated.
2019
Acceptance of Liberty Global's acquisition proposalM&ABackground
After the failed combination proposal, Liberty Global sought to obtain control of Sunrise directly.
Action taken
Sunrise agreed to Liberty Global's acquisition proposal.
Aftermath
The acquisition closed in 2020 and positioned Sunrise as Liberty Global's principal Swiss consumer telecommunications brand.
2019
Proposed acquisition of UPC SwitzerlandM&ABackground
Sunrise sought to strengthen its fixed-network, broadband, and television position through the acquisition of Liberty Global's Swiss cable operation.
Action taken
It agreed to purchase UPC Switzerland for CHF 6.3 billion, but terminated the agreement after shareholder opposition prevented the required capital increase.
Aftermath
The transaction did not close despite unconditional approval from the Swiss Competition Commission.
Proposed acquisition value. CHF 6.3 billion (2019 proposed transaction)
2010
Acquisition by CVC Capital PartnersM&ABackground
Following changes in TDC's ownership, Sunrise was placed in a new ownership structure.
Action taken
CVC Capital Partners acquired Sunrise for CHF 3.3 billion after Swiss regulatory approval.
Aftermath
Sunrise continued operating under private-equity ownership before later becoming publicly listed.
Acquisition value. CHF 3.3 billion (2010 transaction)
2001
Merger of diAx and Sunrise CommunicationsM&ABackground
The two businesses sought to consolidate their positions in Switzerland while reducing exposure to the cost of UMTS licensing.
Action taken
They merged and operated through TDC Switzerland AG under the Sunrise brand.
Aftermath
The merger created the corporate foundation of the modern Sunrise telecommunications provider.
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