When a company renews its phones, the phone fleet buyback is often handed to the carrier by default: it sells the new devices, so it might as well take the old ones. Sometimes that is the right call. But a carrier and an independent partner do not answer the same need, and the difference shows most clearly on mixed fleets.
In short: use your carrier if you are only returning smartphones and tablets in good condition and buying the replacements from the same provider. Choose an independent partner such as Everlink if your estate mixes phones, laptops, smartwatches and broken devices, if you want to be paid by bank transfer rather than in credit, and if you need a single inventory and a single certificate for the whole operation.
What is a phone fleet buyback?
A phone fleet buyback is the operation by which a company sells, in one go, the smartphones, tablets and other devices it no longer uses, in exchange for a buyback value. It typically happens during a device refresh, at the end of a lease, when a site closes or when dormant stock is cleared out. A serious buyback covers four things: valuation, logistics (collection or shipping), data erasure and documentary proof. That last point carries real weight. Under the GDPR and the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (the FADP, revised in 2023 and often called the nFADP or revFADP), a company must be able to show that business data has been removed from every device. In practice, that proof is an erasure certificate plus an inventory by serial number or IMEI. The provider you choose therefore determines what you recover, how much work falls on your teams and the quality of the file handed to your data protection officer.
How carriers and retailers handle fleet buybacks
In Switzerland, the three largest mobile players each run a buyback programme. Their public terms differ considerably.
Swisscom Buyback Business. According to the official Swisscom page (accessed 18 September 2026), the programme takes back mobiles and tablets, including damaged ones, but not computers or fixed-line telephones. The estimate comes within 48 hours, collection is free, erasure uses Deal Certify software, and payment is made within 30 days of receipt of your bill (or the value can be donated to SOS Children's Villages). It is open to all Swiss companies in the Commercial Register, including non-customers.
Sunrise buyback. According to the Sunrise help page (accessed 18 September 2026), the programme covers selected phones, tablets and smartwatches purchased in Switzerland. The value is deducted from a new device or credited to your account, and "will not be paid out in cash". Devices rated "Broken" are recycled rather than bought back.
mobilezone buyback. mobilezone is a retailer rather than a network operator, but its offer follows the same ecosystem logic. Its business buyback page (in German, accessed 18 September 2026) describes sending devices in for inspection, receiving an offer, then choosing a payout or a credit towards new devices, with complete data deletion.
Our detailed comparisons: Swisscom Buyback alternative, Sunrise buyback alternative and mobilezone buyback alternative.
The real strengths of a carrier programme
It would be unfair to ignore them:
- Simplicity at renewal. With Sunrise or mobilezone, the trade-in can directly reduce the price of the new devices.
- A familiar name that reassures management and procurement.
- Published terms: Swisscom states its estimate turnaround, erasure software, collection method and payment term.
- CSR options, such as Swisscom's donation to SOS Children's Villages.
- Continuity if your subscriptions, device management and purchasing already sit with the same provider.
For an SME returning twenty recent smartphones to its carrier, these advantages are often enough.
What an independent partner changes
An independent partner sells no subscriptions or plans. Its business is buying back, refurbishing and reselling devices. That changes three things.
Why does scope matter so much?
Carrier programmes are built around mobile. A real refresh releases much more: laptops coming off lease, field tablets, smartwatches and broken devices forgotten in a drawer. With a carrier, whatever falls outside the scope goes to another provider, with a second contract, a second inventory and a second certificate. Everlink buys smartphones, tablets, laptops and smartwatches, all brands, and values broken devices for parts. The operation happens in one go, which also simplifies reconciliation with your asset register. If computers are involved, read our guide to selling company laptops and IT equipment. If you are weighing an ITAD provider against a fleet buyer, our article ITAD vs fleet buyback sets out the criteria.
Who keeps the value of your fleet?
With a carrier, the buyback value often takes the form of a discount, an account credit or a deferred payment. With Everlink, the firm offer is confirmed after inspection and the transfer goes out without delay, with a Swiss QR-bill (the standard Swiss invoice with a scannable payment code), in Swiss francs or euros. The value goes back to your treasury, with no obligation to buy anything.
How much work lands on your teams?
Everlink works without a portal or an account to create. You describe your fleet via the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp, you promptly receive an offer valued line by line, and Everlink then arranges collection (on-site pickup or inbound logistics), erasure and sorting. Devices can be handed over as they are: the administrative unlocking is worked through with you. Every device receives certified data erasure compliant with the GDPR and the Swiss FADP, with a certificate per batch and an inventory by IMEI or serial number.
Comparison table: carrier or independent
| Criterion | Carrier or retailer programme | Everlink (independent) |
|---|---|---|
| Devices accepted | Mainly phones and tablets, depending on the programme | Smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches |
| Broken devices | Varies: accepted at Swisscom, recycled without value at Sunrise | Accepted, valued for parts |
| Form of value | 30-day transfer, discount or credit, depending on the provider | Transfer after inspection, Swiss QR-bill |
| Tied to a purchase | Often | No |
| Valuation turnaround | 48 h at Swisscom, not stated elsewhere | Fast offer, no fixed deadline |
| Contact | The provider's service channels | Direct contact, reachable on WhatsApp |
| Proof of erasure | Report or certificate, depending on the provider | Certificate per batch and IMEI inventory |
| Re-equipment | New devices or rental from the provider | Refurbished fleets with warranty, no plan required |
| Coverage | Switzerland (coverage abroad not stated on their public websites) | Switzerland and Europe |
Five questions to help you choose
- What does the estate actually contain? Take an inventory, even a rough one, before choosing. If there are laptops or broken devices, scope often settles the question.
- Do you want cash or a discount? If you are buying from your carrier, credit may be enough. Otherwise, aim for a bank transfer.
- What timeline is acceptable? Compare the stated offer turnaround and payment terms.
- What proof does your data protection officer expect? Ask for a certificate and an inventory by serial number.
- Where are your devices? Subsidiaries outside Switzerland call for a partner that covers Europe.
Typical situations
End of lease. Devices must leave on a fixed date, often together with laptops. A partner that takes everything avoids juggling providers.
Switching carrier. Some programmes tie the buyback to a purchase or an account with the carrier, as Sunrise buyback does. An independent partner buys the fleet with no subscription condition, whoever the old or new carrier is.
Site closure or dormant stock. Devices are mixed, sometimes broken, sometimes without chargers. This is exactly where valuation for parts makes a difference.
Re-equipping with refurbished devices. Everlink also supplies refurbished smartphones for business: you sell the old fleet and re-equip your teams with the same contact.
Frequently asked questions
Does my carrier already buy back my phone fleet?
Probably, at least in part. Swisscom, Sunrise and mobilezone each run a buyback programme, with different terms for accepted devices and form of payment. Check the scope and payment method before deciding.
Does an independent partner pay more than a carrier?
It depends on the models, quantities and condition. The simplest approach is to compare two itemised offers on the same device list. Everlink values each fleet model by model and replies promptly, with no commitment.
Can laptops be sold together with smartphones?
Not with Swisscom Buyback Business: its public page excludes computers. Everlink buys laptops in the same operation as mobile devices.
How do you prove data erasure after a phone fleet buyback?
Ask for an erasure certificate and an inventory by IMEI or serial number. Everlink issues a certificate per batch, compliant with the GDPR and the Swiss FADP, together with a complete inventory.
Does Everlink require you to buy hardware?
No. The buyback is independent of any purchase. If you wish, Everlink can also supply refurbished fleets with warranty included.
Compare with a fast, itemised offer
Send us your device list, even an incomplete one, via the contact form, by email to info@everlink.ch or on WhatsApp at +41 78 220 72 80. You quickly receive a line-by-line offer, to compare calmly with your carrier's.