I have been a customer of UPC for over ten years.

I only need basic internet and landline, I have no interest in any other offerings (I don't have a TV!)

Back in May they sent me a bill for "3-in-1 kabelanchluss" for 6 months for 319.15 CHF, this was a paper document, odd that they normally send all correspondence via e bills.

I never asked for this, I phoned them up to tell them I didn't need and already had internet with them, I didn't really understand his explanation in german so he said that someone would call back in english....that never happened.

Now they sent me a mahnung for this.

What should I do?

According to this you can ignore it
https://www.ktipp.ch/artikel/artikel...abelanschluss/

I have had 'invoices' before for things that can be ignored e.g charities, it's purely optional. But to get a mahnung is a bit worrying.

Has anyone else had this same bill?

Unlike you, the lady in K-tipp story was never a UPC customer.

Are you sure this is not the bill for the basic cable connection by UPC which might in the past have been part of your auxiliary bill? An active UPC connection currently costs CHF 39.90 per month. Either billed directly to the costumer, or through landlord/auxiliary bill.

so I called them back and had to wait a long time to get through, persevered in german and they said it was usually included in the nebenkosten but sometimes not...whatever, sounded suspect

anyway I said that if I had to pay it I would move to another provider, this got me transferred to another department

end result, they are switching me to a lower internet speed (not a problem anyway) and giving me a discount for one year but also that means I have to sign a one year contract (also that the bill for 319chf has been cancelled)

Pretty poor way to do business if you ask me, but I can only suggest to others who receive this to try the same approach

Not at all suspect, but normal.

Ours was also recently changed from included to not-included.

Tom

As a private house owner, I pay UPC CHF478.70 yearly on top of any monthly contract deal - which incidentally they are forcing up by CHF15/month at the end of August whether I like it or not (suppling a new UPC TV Box)...

This fairly typical of UPC. They try to tie you to a one year contract and if you don't give notice in due time, you're locked in again for another year. I would resist the new contract and firmly tell them you want to stay as you were, failing which you will transfer to Swisscom (or other provider).

Phone communication with provider is usually useless, you really need a record of written communication in order to object the incorrect bills. Remember, after 2 reminders they may send your bill to Inkasso or Betreibungsamt, charging another CHF 100-200 on top
What language is your original contract in? I had a UPC contract in English 3 years ago.
Write them an registered letter in English, asking for a clear explanation why they are billing you for a service which you never requested nor consumed. Wait 1 week for an answer, and then call asking for a status of your request.
All big providers are supposed to have an English speaking helpdesk.