JT introduces 4G to the Channel Islands

Saturday 14 February 2015

JT’s new £12 million state-of-the-art 4G network has today launched in Jersey at six sites in St Ouen, following Ofcom granting operators a license to provide 4G services in the Channel Islands.

JT’s Dave Newbold, Chief Operations and Technology Officer, said the telecoms providers was really excited to have launched the first 4G sites on Jersey.

"We’ve invested over £12 million in a state-of-the-art Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced 4G network that will drastically improve mobile data services for Islanders. Our new network is expandable and can be regularly upgraded to ensure we are able to take advantage of any new advancement in mobile technology In addition, it will also ensure significantly improved data connections in buildings. Combining our new 4G and our superfast fibre‐optic networks together means that people here in Jersey can now begin to experience unrivalled, seamless coverage, wherever they are.”

To start enjoying the benefits that 4G delivers, customers will need a 4G enabled mobile handset and once connected can enjoy 100% faster data connections and better quality streaming on video-calling apps such as Facetime and Skype. For the typical 4G user, download speeds will be at least twice as fast as the speed currently available on the existing 3G network.

The majority of Smartphone handsets will work on JT’s network automatically; however, Samsung and LG are preventing their handsets from being used on new 4G networks until testing has been carried out to satisfy the handset manufacturers that there are no operational issues. JT is currently working with them both to ensure testing is carried out smoothly and the delay in developing appropriate software updates is kept to the minimum.

JT’s 4G service is not a premium service meaning that whether the customer is using 2G, 3G or 4G the price will be the same, unlike some operators in other markets that apply a premium price the 4G data services.

In parallel, JT has also taken the opportunity to implement a new 3G service called U900 meaning customers will see a significant improvement in the coverage of their 3G data services across the islands too. Furthermore, every mobile site across the Channel Islands will provide 3G speeds of 42Mb as JT continue to roll out the new network, where previously these speeds were only available in congested areas, such as Town.

For further information on 4G handsets and the latest updates on the rollout of JT’s exciting new network please visit www.jtglobal.com/4G