JT 5G Mobile Network Starts to Go Live on the Channel Island of Jersey

State-owned broadband ISP and telecoms operator JT (Jersey Telecom), supported by technology partner Ericsson, have today confirmed that their c. £80 million project to deploy a new 5G based mobile network across Jersey (English Channel Island) has finally started to go live across its first area.

The deployment, which was first announced almost two years ago (there have been various trials and pilots conducted since then), will also involve both the complementary retirement of their legacy 3G network and the replacement of JT’s existing 4G network (this is based off kit from Chinese firm ZTE, is now seen as a security risk by the UK government and other countries).

So far, the operator has successfully migrated the old network on sites within Area 1 of their deployment plan (St Ouen) and transitioned to the newly built network, which all occurred over the weekend. “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,” claimed the update.

The process of rolling out the new network will take place over “several months“, with new areas going live in a phased approach. The full 5G Standalone (SA) experience will then only become available once all phases are completed, which is expected by the end of 2025 (i.e. this reflects end-to-end 5G connectivity without any 4G services to hold the network back, assuming you have a compatible device / Smartphone).

Predicted 5G Go Live Dates in 2025

Area 1 – North-West (St Ouen, St Mary) – MAY/JUN
Area 2 – North (St John) – JUN
Area 3 – North-East (Trinity, St Martin) – JUN
Area 4 – East (Grouville, Gorey, La Rocque) – JUL
Area 5 – West (St Peter, Airport) – JUL
Area 6 – South-West (St Brelade) – AUG
Area 7 – St Helier Town Centre and Marina – SEPT
Area 8 – Central (St Saviour, Five Oaks) – SEPT
Area 9 – South-East (St Clement) – OCT
Area 10 – South (St Lawrence, First Tower, St Peter) – NOV

JT has also 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. But only once the Guernsey Regulator establishes a spectrum licensing framework for the deployment of 5G and future technologies.

Daragh McDermott, CEO of 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.”

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.”

The new mobile network, once completed, should act as a good complement to JT’s new fixed line full fibre (FTTP/H) broadband network on the island. Upon completion, it will also be one of the few networks globally to have end-to-end Ericsson 5G technology.