Jersey’s new 5G network goes live

JT’s multi-million-pound investment in a next-generation mobile network, powered by Ericsson, has entered its final phase with the first sites going live on the new 5G network over the weekend, making it a significant first for the Channel Islands and a leading early mover in Europe.

A launch event took place at JT’s Network Operation Centre, where JT’s engineers worked in sync with Ericsson’s Global Network Operations Centre, via a live link. After months of trials and painstaking optimisation testing, they successfully migrated the old network on sites within Area One in St Ouen and transitioned to the newly built network.

Predictions based on early testing show significant signal strength and coverage improvements, culminating in further significant increases in average download speed on the new network compared to the previous connectivity.

This marks the beginning of a new era for Jersey enabling the Island to become a true incubator for innovation across many sectors. This comes just two years on from JT partnering with Ericsson to upgrade its award-winning network with comprehensive end-to-end 5G solutions.

This process of rolling out the new network will take place over several months, with Areas going live in a phased approach. The full 5G Standalone (SA) experience will only be available once all phases are completed, which is expected by the end of 2025.

5G SA technology is more advanced than the non-standalone (NSA) 5G used by most operators. While Ericsson supports 183 5G networks in 77 countries, JT will be joining 60 leading operators globally with the launch of 5G SA. Combined with JT’s full fibre-to-home service, this will provide Islanders with seamless connectivity both on the ground and in the air, making Jersey one of the most connected places in the world and one of the few networks globally to have end-to-end Ericsson technology.

JT has already invested in extensive core network equipment in Guernsey as part of this initiative and stands 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.

The new 5G SA network is designed to provide JT’s Channel Islands customers with world-leading connectivity, continuously enhancing reliability, latency, and security. The telecom’s focus has been on building a robust infrastructure that can adapt to future technologies, remain world-class, and meet both anticipated and unforeseen data demands.

Daragh McDermott, CEO, JT Group said, “Networks are never complete; the work never stops because technology is always improving, so our focus will always be on enabling the technology of tomorrow, for our customers today. 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. 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.’’

Katherine Ainley, Chief Executive of Ericsson UK and Ireland, added, “Ericsson and JT share a vision for next-generation connectivity that creates new possibilities for people, businesses, and society. 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. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership to further develop the network and deliver new experiences for JT’s customers.”

Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Chief Minister of Jersey, said, ‘‘We welcome the roll-out across the Island of the new 5G network and the potential for enhanced service, security, resilience and innovation it brings. I was able to visit JT’s Network Operation Centre for the official launch and look forward to hearing more about the performance of the new network and the impact on customers in Jersey.’’

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, said, “The launch of this 5G stand-alone network is 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.”

Daragh added, ‘’We all have a common goal, and that’s to keep raising the bar for our customers. We will continue to invest and develop our networks for our customers, supporting their increasing needs and providing superior customer service alongside it.’’