Ethernet is what often comes out of the back of your cable modem or ADSL router. I'm avoiding an explanation of what it is, that's what the wikipedia is for. In Switzerland, no the provider does not deliver a ethernet interface directly into your home. In Japan they do, but not here.

The access has to be carried to your home on something (unless there is a true wireless broadband service which I don't think we have here) - this is the so called "last mile" that everybody fights about.

So you have two choices - the signal comes in over the back of the phone line (ADSL based solutions), or over the cable (Cablecom). Those are your two choices.

If you have ADSL then you will have to pay for the phone line rental - I think it's about 25 francs per month? If you were wanting to save the maximum amount of money then I would recommend going for cable internet. The cheapest package from cablecom is 30 francs, and you don't have to get a phone with it.

The TV tax is a totally separate thing and has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with whether you have cable or not. If you own a TV, and that TV has a tuner in it capable of receiving signals, you are liable for the tax. We've covered this in great detail on other threads in this section. If you don't want to pay the TV tax then get rid of the TV and use a monitor or projector without a tuner. Technically you'd also have to remove any devices which have a radio from your house or car as well. Yes, it is totally stupid, you won't get any argument from me there.

So the bottom line is internet access doesn't have to cost you a fortune at all. I suggest spending some time on the websites of cablecom and the ADSL providers and informing yourself about the options.