JT has hailed Jersey as a “leading early mover” after being one of the first places in Europe to deploy full end-to-end 5G SA.
The telecommunications firm announced that its “multi-million-pound investment” in a “next generation” 5G Standalone (SA) mobile network has entered its final phase, as the first sites went live over the weekend.
After “months of trials and painstaking optimisation testing”, JT’s engineers – based at JT’s Network Operation Centre – worked with communications technology provider Ericsson via live link to successfully migrate the old network on sites within Area One in St Ouen and transition to the newly built network.
5G SA technology is “more advanced” than the non-standalone (NSA) 5G and is designed to provide “world-leading connectivity, continuously enhancing reliability, latency, and security”.
JT said its focus had been on “building a robust infrastructure that can adapt to future technologies” and meet “anticipated and unforeseen data demands”.
“We are constantly looking ahead while addressing current needs, providing the best possible connectivity and working with partner organisations and businesses to help them get the most out of the network,” said Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group.
“It’s about taking the right risks and making prudent investments so everyone can thrive and innovate, advancing the digital economy across the Channel Islands.’’
Areas will go live in a phased approach over several months, JT confirmed, and the “full 5G SA experience” will be available once all phases are completed, which is expected by the end of the year.
Katherine Ainley, Chief Executive of Ericsson UK and Ireland, added: “By investing in an end-to-end solution from Ericsson, JT is building a robust network with best-in-class coverage and performance.
“This advanced infrastructure will not only mean faster and more reliable connections, but also support new devices, services and business models that will position the Channel Islands as a global hub for innovation.”
Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Chief Minister of Jersey, attended the official launch and said he “welcomed the roll-out across the Island of the new 5G network and the potential for enhanced service, security, resilience and innovation it brings”.
Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, described the launch as an “important step in driving sustainable economic growth”.
“Not only does it enhance connectivity and support emerging technologies, it will also create opportunities across key sectors, giving us the potential for Jersey to be a global testbed for digital solutions to the challenges of ageing populations and improving productivity that Western jurisdictions are all facing,” he added.
JT added that it had already invested in “extensive core network equipment” in Guernsey and is “ready to switch the radio network to match the capabilities of Jersey’s” once the Guernsey Regulator establishes a spectrum licensing framework for the deployment of 5G and future technologies.