Swisscom CEO dead in apparent suicide

The CEO of Swisscom, Carsten Schloter, was found dead at his home in Freiburg yesterday in what local police are describing as an apparent suicide. Schloter, a German citizen,  joined Swisscom in 2000 as the head of the firm’s mobile operation, becoming group CEO in 2006.

Deputy CEO Urs Schäppi will assume control of the company until a permanent successor is appointed, Swisscom said.

“The Board of Directors, Group Executive Board and the entire workforce are deeply saddened and pass on their condolences to the family and relatives,” says Hansueli Loosli, chairman of Swisscom’s board.

Incumbent operator Swisscom is the dominant player in Switzerland with 6.27 million mobile customers, more than 60 per cent of the market, at the end of 1Q13 according to Informa’s WCIS Plus. It also dominates the broadband market with 1.75m connections.