Channel Islands To Get 5G Network By 2021

JT will test a next-generation 5G mobile network in the island next year.

If the regulator – CICRA – gives approval, the operator plans to have a full service up and running in the Channel Islands by 2021.

5G will speed up downloads by 10x compared to today’s speeds, which the JT says is important for the island’s role as a testbed for new technology.

The local firm has struck a deal with Chinese tech giant ZTE to establish the next generation network.

JT’s CEO, Graeme Millar, says they want to build the best network they can for islanders:

“We aspire to build on our island’s world-beating fibre network and now offer Channel Islanders the best 5G service in the world.  Our role is to support our customers, providing them with the technology to do whatever they want. By building these information superhighways we make this possible.

“ZTE is the ideal partner, who’ve supported us already with our 4G network. We know customers appreciate its speed and quality. Indeed, our ZTE 4G network has been ranked as the fastest in the CI by global assessor Ookla for the last three years running. We expect more of the same from our Islands’ new 5G network.”