Fake discounts and trap contracts in Swiss telecom
Prices that double after 12 months, hidden fees buried in the small print, misleading promotions — learn the deceptive pricing tactics used by major Swiss telecom operators.
The Swiss telecommunications market is riddled with commercial practices that, at first glance, seem advantageous — but which in reality often cost more than a simple, transparent offer. Here are the most common traps.
1. The welcome promotion that disappears
The trap: “Only CHF 19.90/month for 12 months, then CHF 39.90/month.”
This type of offer is legion among large operators. The price displayed in large print is the promotional price. The real price — the one you will pay for years — is in the small print.
The reality: After 12 months, your bill doubles. And since you often signed a 24-month commitment, you are stuck.
2. The disguised commitment
The trap: “No commitment offer!” (but with installation fees of CHF 99.-)
Some operators advertise “no commitment” in large print, but charge installation or activation fees so high that it takes 12 to 18 months to recoup them. Leaving before then means “losing” those initial fees.
3. Pre-ticked options
The trap: When signing up online, several options are activated by default — phone insurance, cloud storage, antivirus protection… At CHF 5–10/month each, they accumulate quietly on your bill.
4. The “automatic” annual price increase
Some contracts include a cost-of-living indexation clause or an annual pricing review. The price increases every year, slightly but systematically.
5. Excessive cancellation fees
The trap: You want to leave before the end of your commitment? Penalties potentially amounting to several months’ bills will be charged.
Our approach: complete transparency
At MaxiConnect, we have taken the opposite approach:
- A single price: clearly displayed, without temporary promotions
- No commitment: cancel at any time, with no fees
- No hidden increases after a promotional period
- No pre-ticked options: you choose what you want
- Same conditions for existing and new customers
We do not believe that growth should come at the expense of customer trust. Our model is based on earned loyalty, not forced loyalty.
Compare for yourself and take the time to read the full conditions of each offer. If something seems unclear, do not hesitate to contact us — we are always transparent about our rates and conditions. 📞 +41 58 521 32 00 — 📧 hello@maxiconnect.ch