Firm begins island-wide 5G rollout in Guernsey

A rollout of 5G services in Guernsey has been announced alongside the launch of the first two sites.

JT Global said it was the first telecommunications provider to publicly announce the sites from where signals are broadcast in and around St Peter Port were live, and 5G could be seen on compatible devices in the area.

It said it formed part of "significant investment" in "mobile infrastructure" across the Channel Islands.

It added there would be a phased deployment programme that would see 5G coverage extended across Guernsey over the next four months.

JT Global said people could track rollout progress, check coverage and find out which devices were compatible with the network by visiting its dedicated 5G hub.

Alessandro Bovone, chief technology officer of JT Group, said: "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.

"While the process has taken longer than anticipated due to regulatory approvals, we are pleased to now be moving at pace and to be the first operator to deliver 5G services in Guernsey."

It added as with its rollout in Jersey it was about "investing in the future".

"By deploying a full 5G Standalone network, we are not just enhancing today's mobile experience but creating a powerful platform for the digital services and opportunities of tomorrow," he said.

JT Global said the network was built in partnership with Ericsson and was being deployed as a end-to-end combo 4G, 5G Non-Standalone (5G NSA) and 5G Standalone (5G SA) network.

It added customers in Guernsey would also benefit from Wi-Fi calling at no additional cost.

It said initial performance and testing indicated the new network will deliver a "significant step-change in connectivity, with improved speeds, stronger signal strength, enhanced capacity and lower latency for islanders".

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