5G to roll out across Guernsey
Key Points
- JT has launched 5G in Guernsey, with the first sites live in St Peter Port
- It is a 5G Standalone (5G SA) network built in partnership with Ericsson
- Coverage will expand across Guernsey over the next four months
- JT customers also get free Wi-Fi Calling
JT has launched its island-wide 5G rollout in Guernsey, with the first two sites going live in and around St Peter Port.
The operator said the network has been built in partnership with Ericsson as a fully end-to-end combo 4G, 5G Non-Standalone (5G NSA) and 5G Standalone (5G SA) network.
JT said it is the first telecommunications provider to publicly confirm that live sites are operational and that 5G can be seen on compatible devices in the area.
The rollout forms part of JT’s investment in mobile infrastructure across the Channel Islands and begins a phased deployment that the company expects to extend across the Bailiwick of Guernsey over the next four months.
The 5G Standalone architecture is the most advanced form of 5G available, enabling faster speeds, lower latency and greater network reliability than non-standalone deployments, which run on existing 4G core infrastructure.
Standalone networks use a dedicated 5G core, allowing operators to support services such as network slicing and ultra-low-latency applications. JT said the deployment creates a platform capable of supporting future digital services and emerging technologies on the island.
JT customers in Guernsey will also gain access to Voice over Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi Calling, at no additional cost.
The operator said the feature is designed to improve call quality and connectivity in indoor or low-signal areas.
Alessandro Bovone, Chief Technology Officer of JT Group, said the launch was a significant step forward for the island’s digital infrastructure.
“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,” Bovone said.
He added that the standalone deployment was intended to support longer-term demand.
“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 said initial performance and testing indicated improved speeds, stronger signal strength, enhanced capacity and lower latency, and pointed to its earlier rollout in Jersey as a comparison point for the deployment.
The company said additional sites will come online over the coming months as it works towards full island coverage.
Islanders can track rollout progress, check coverage and confirm which devices are compatible by visiting JT’s 5G hub.
