Guernsey falls down broadband charts despite speed doubling

The cable.co.uk price comparison site has just published its 2020 broadband speed league table of more than 200 locations, and while Jersey has moved up a place to number two, behind Liechtenstein, Guernsey has slipped four places to 48.

But, points out Sure Guernsey chief executive Justin Bellinger, speeds have increased since the last survey.

‘This independent report proves that our ambitious multimillion-pound investment plan is already witnessing results,’ he said.

‘Since last year’s Cable report, the average broadband speeds in Guernsey have more than doubled from 18.26Mbps to 36.8Mbps.’

JT, which is Jersey’s States-owned operator, has invested heavily in providing fibre optic connections to every broadband user, and currently its average speed is 218.37Mbps – which, the survey said, would allow you to download a 5GB film in 3 min 8 sec. The same movie in Guernsey would take 18 min. 32 sec. to download.

Mr Bellinger said that Sure was committed to future-proofing the island’s telecoms infrastructure.

‘Our investment plan includes the trial of a range of technologies for us to assess what is most effective and suitable for islanders and businesses,’ he said.

There are 27 households signed up to take part in a full fibre to the home trial in St Sampson’s and several of these already benefit from the technology.

‘The work undertaken by Sure’s engineers for this trial will build on the 500km of fibre already installed in the island,’ said Mr Bellinger.

‘Following the trial, the data will be analysed and a decision made on the suitability of fibre technology for Guernsey or the need for further trials.’

JT (Channel Islands) managing director Daragh McDermott said: ‘The events of this year so far have shown just how essential great broadband is, which is one of the reasons why the national and international media are now focusing on it.

‘Clearly, it’s really important for Guernsey to keep up to date in this key area.’

JT already has fibre cabling in the island for both residential and business customers and has worked closely with the States on expanding that network, he said.

‘That investment is part of our commitment to building the best broadband access infrastructure possible across the Channel Islands, and why we’ve spent in excess of £15m. over the last 10 years on network investments in Guernsey, including fibre and 4G.

‘We know that customers want faster, more reliable, speeds and by working closely with the States of Guernsey, we plan to invest to ensure those requirements are satisfied.’

Key findings

Other findings from the cable.co.uk survey were:

. The world's average broadband speed is 24.83Mbps, more than twice what it was last year.

. The UK has slipped further down the table and is now only one position higher than Guernsey, with an average speed of 37.82Mbps, whereas last year it stood in 37th place.

. If you lived in world-leader Liechtenstein you could download a 5GB film in 2 min. 58 sec, thanks to its average speed of 229.98Mbps.

. At the other end of the scale, those who want to download the same film in South Sudan would have to wait 19 hours and 31 minutes.