JT is the first local telco to launch, with two sites in St Peter Port.
Over the coming months more than 30 new 5G masts will be erected across Guernsey, with Sark and Alderney also getting 5G later in the year.
‘This is a significant step forward to enhance the island’s digital infrastructure and one that will unlock new opportunities for both consumers and businesses,’ said JT Group chief technology officer Alessandro Bovone.
Meanwhile, Sure – which is investing £48m. in mobile technology – said its customers will start to see improvements to its mobile network starting next month.
‘This programme will deliver meaningful improvements to coverage, reliability, security and capacity over the coming months, while laying the foundations for the next generation of mobile connectivity, including 5G,’ said CEO Alistair Beak.
‘Alongside faster speeds and better coverage, we are building a more secure, resilient and future-ready network that customers can rely on for years to come.
‘Our ambition is clear: to provide the best mobile network experience in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. This investment is a major step towards achieving that goal and reflects our long-term commitment to the communities we serve.’
As part of JT’s improved network capacity, customers in Guernsey are also set to have access to wi-fi calling at no additional cost, which it said would help improve call quality and connectivity indoors or in low signal areas.
JT’s network is being built in partnership with Ericsson and will feature 5G non-standalone (5G NSA) and 5G standalone (5G SA). The former builds on existing 4G infrastructure, relying on older technology but still delivering faster speeds, while 5G SA provides the full benefits of the technology such as ultra-low latency, greater capacity and more reliable performance. The company has said that its coverage will be the same as 4G and will not see lots more masts being erected. ‘The overall network has been optimised to use fewer, more efficient sites wherever possible,’ it said.
‘In fact, with 5G technology, we are actually able to reduce the number of smaller sites in some areas, which helps address some of the concerns we’ve heard from the public.’
JT has pointed out that not all smartphones will support every 5G feature from day one, with compatibility influenced by the manufacturer, software updates, and certification requirements specific to the network. Some devices may gain access to new capabilities over time as updates are released.
People can track rollout progress, check coverage and find out which devices are compatible with the network by visiting jtglobal.com/5g.
You need to be logged in to comment.