Sure has apologised to customers for any recent disruption to their mobile phone services, as the company starts switching on its new 5G service.
Two mobile masts have been upgraded to reach the ‘fifth generation of mobile network technology’ – which Sure said is “a major step forward in its mobile network transformation”.
“This is a meaningful moment in our mobile network transformation,” said Alistair Beak, Group CEO.
“Seeing the first upgraded sites connected in Guernsey shows that the work our teams have been delivering across the business is starting to become visible for customers.
“The scale of this investment goes beyond mobile sites alone.
Mr Beak said the firm was “upgrading the infrastructure and systems that keep our islands connected, improving the mobile experience customers rely on today while building a network ready for future technologies”.
The first two upgraded sites are at Sure’s HQ, Centenary House in La Vrangue, and the Tennis Centre at Longcamps.
Sure customers in areas served by these sites will begin to see 5G on compatible devices as testing and optimisation continues, said the company.
The roll out will continue over coming weeks with other mobile sites connected once testing and optimisation has been carried out in live conditions.
Sure said more customers will experience “what (the) new 5G network can deliver, from clearer calls and improved coverage to smoother browsing and a better everyday mobile experience” as this work continues.
In the meantime, they will also notice “temporary disruption”, acknowledged Sure.
This will include “disruption to mobile service in some areas during planned work windows” which “could affect calls, texts or mobile data”.
Emergency calls will continue to work and landlines, broadband and WiFi will not be affected either.
“We recognise that some customers have experienced disruption while this work has been taking place, and we do not take that lightly,” said Mr Beak.
“Our teams are working carefully through each stage of the rollout so we can deliver the better mobile experience this investment is designed to support.”
