JT signs deal for first 5G network in CI
JT HAS signed a deal to build the first 5G mobile network in the Channel Islands, which it hopes will be in operation by 2021.
The company has partnered with Chinese firm ZTE, which it worked with on its 4G network.
Following the signing of contracts in Shenzhen on Tuesday, the partners will start work on the new service with the plan to introduce a test network next year, subject to the CI Competition and Regulatory Authorities approval.
JT said that although the 5G standard is not yet complete, it intends to roll out improvements incrementally as standards solidify.
The change from 4G to 5G will be a major one, said JT CEO Graeme Millar.
‘The journey moving from 4G to 5G will be similar to the revolution from copper to fibre,’ he said.
ZTE UK managing director Kenneth Cao said the deal was a key milestone for both ZTE and JT to begin ‘the journey of 5G’.
‘As we did through our 4G partnership, ZTE are determined and committed to provide the best possible 5G solution and service to JT and for the Channel Islands.’
n 5G enables download speeds up to 10x faster than today’s speeds, together with the ability to connect many more devices. JT said that in time it will play a key part in supporting the Channel Islands’ role as an Internet of Things ‘digital sandbox’. JT forecast that, in addition to thousands of IoT devices, by 2023 10% of islanders will have 5G-enabled devices.
