Radio and TV fees will in future be collected by Serafe AG
Bern, 10.03.2017 - The company Serafe AG will in future collect the new device-independent radio and television fee. Within the framework of a public tender procedure, the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) has awarded the mandate to this company. Its bid stood out as the best in terms of price-performance ratio compared to the other bidders.
Serafe AG is a subsidiary of Secon AG based in Fehraltdorf (ZH). This company presented a convincing implementation concept and submitted a bid which was the most attractive in economic terms. In accordance with the criteria published on 16 August 2016 along with the specification of requirements, the company's bid achieved the highest total number of points. The term of Serafe AG's mandate begins on 1 July 2017 and ends on 31 December 2025.
Secon AG has extensive experience of fee collection and has modern IT systems and processes. It performs fee collection services for various health insurers. According to the provisions of the Radio and Television Act (RTVA), the collection agency may not engage in any economic activities other than the collection of the household fee. Consequently, in September 2016 Secon AG founded the subsidiary company Serafe AG. This subsidiary company has the sole task of ensuring collection of the fee. The new charging system is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2019. Until then Billag will continue to collect the current reception fees.
Commencement of the preparatory work for the future fee system
On 1 July 2017, Serafe AG will begin to build the infrastructure and the necessary IT system. The data required for collection of the household fee originates from the registers of residents. It will be provided by the cantons and municipalities. By the end of 2018, Serafe AG must make all preparations in co-operation with the competent authorities so that the commencement of the new fee system is assured within the prescribed period and in good quality.
On 14 June 2015, the electorate accepted the revised Radio and Television Act (RTVA). As a result, the current reception fee will be replaced by a universal, device-independent fee. Since this means that the funding will be borne by more people and will be administratively simpler, the fee for radio and television for households can be reduced to significantly less than CHF 400 per year. The Federal Council will set the amount of the fee in good time before the new system enters into force.
The new fee system is considerably simpler, since it obviates various tasks such as a field services, checks and registrations/deregistrations. In addition, the collection agency can rely on data from the cantons and municipalities- The fee for businesses will be collected by the Federal Tax Administration.
Address for enquiries
Federal Office of Communications OFCOM
Press service, +41 58 460 55 50, media@bakom.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
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