6 Shareholders’ participation rights

6.1 Voting rights and representation restrictions

Each registered share entitles the holder to one vote. Voting rights can only be exercised if the shareholder is entered in the share register of Swisscom Ltd with voting rights. The Board of Directors may refuse to recognise an acquirer of shares as a shareholder or beneficial holder with voting rights if the latter’s total holding, when the new shares are added to any voting shares already registered in its name, would then exceed the limit of 5% of all registered shares entered in the commercial register. The acquirer is entered in the register as a shareholder or beneficial holder without voting rights for the remaining shares. This restriction on voting rights also applies to registered shares acquired through the exercise of subscription, option or conversion rights. A Group clause applies to the calculation of the percentage restriction.

The 5% voting right restriction does not apply to the Swiss Confederation which, under the terms of the Telecommunications Enterprise Act (TEA), holds the capital and voting majority.

The Board of Directors may recognise an acquirer of shares with more than 5% of all registered shares as a shareholder or beneficial holder with voting rights, in particular in the following exceptional cases:

  • Where shares are acquired as a result of a merger or business combination
  • Where shares are acquired as a result of a non-cash contribution or an exchange of shares
  • Where shares are acquired with a view to establishing a long-term partnership or strategic alliance

In addition to the percentage restriction on voting rights, the Board of Directors may refuse to recognise and enter as a shareholder or beneficial holder with voting rights any acquirer of shares who fails to expressly declare upon request that it has acquired the shares in its own name and for its own account or as beneficial holder. Should an acquirer of shares refuse to make such a declaration, it will be entered as a shareholder without voting rights.

In addition, where an entry has been made on the basis of false statements by the acquirer, the Board of Directors may, after consulting the party concerned, delete their share register entry as a shareholder with voting rights and enter it as a shareholder without voting rights. The acquirer must be notified of the deletion immediately.

The statutory restrictions on voting rights may be lifted by resolution by the Annual General Meeting, for which an absolute majority of valid votes cast would be required.

6.2 Statutory quorum requirements

The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Swisscom Ltd adopts its resolutions and holds its elections by absolute majority of valid votes cast. In addition to the specific quorum requirements under the Swiss Code of Obligations, the Articles of Incorporation require a two-thirds majority of the voting shares represented in the following cases:

  • Introduction of restrictions on voting rights
  • Conversion of registered shares to bearer shares and vice versa
  • Change in the Articles of Incorporation concerning special quorums for resolutions

6.3 Convocation of the Annual General Meeting

The Board of Directors must convene the Annual General Meeting at least 20 days prior to the date of the meeting by means of an announcement in the Swiss Commercial Gazette. The meeting can also be convened by registered or unregistered letter to all registered shareholders.

6.4 Agenda items

Shareholders representing shares with a par value of at least CHF 40,000 may request that an item be placed on the agenda. This request must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors at least 45 days prior to the Annual General Meeting, stating the agenda item and the proposal.

6.5 Representation at the Annual General Meeting

Shareholders may be represented at the Annual General Meeting by another shareholder with voting rights who has a written power of attorney. Shareholders may also be represented by the corporate proxy, an independent voting proxy, or a custody proxy (institutional proxies). Partnerships and legal entities may also be represented by authorised signatories, while minors and wards may be represented by their legal representative even if the latter are not shareholders. Shareholders who are represented by a proxy may issue instructions for each agenda item and also for motions not included in the invitation, stating whether they wish to vote for or against a motion or abstain. The corporate proxy only represents shareholders who approve the motions of the Board of Directors. Powers of attorney with instructions to vote otherwise are passed on to the independent voting proxy, who approves the motions of the Board of Directors unless express instructions to the contrary are given. As of 1 January 2014, restrictions apply to institutional proxies in accordance with the Ordinance Against Excessive Compensation in Listed Stock Companies (OaEC) of 20 November 2013. Shareholders may only be represented by the independent proxy elected by the Annual General Meeting. Voting representation by the corporate proxy and/or custodians is not permitted. The independent proxy for the first Annual General Meeting following entry into force of the OaEC is to be chosen by the Board of Directors. The independent proxy is required to cast the votes entrusted to him by shareholders according to their instructions.

6.6 Registrations in the share register

Shareholders entered in the share register with voting rights are entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting. As in previous years, the share register was not closed before the Annual General Meeting for fiscal 2012 held on 4 April 2013. Shareholders registered in the share register with voting rights by 4 p.m. on 28 March 2013 were entitled to vote.