The "pivotal" next phase of a major 5G installation programme for the Channel Islands has begun with the opening of a test centre.
JT and Ericsson have announced the opening of a "state of the art" test lab in Jersey as part of their plans to build the next-generation of mobile communication in the Channel Islands.
The 5G project, which is all on schedule, has been in progress for a year and promises unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity.
Using Ericsson's advance services, including energy efficient features, the JT Group aims to power new facilities for consumers and businesses and contribute to the digital transformation and economic growth of the Channel Islands.
In this new phase, lab-testing will replicate environments and real everyday scenarios for engineers to test changes before formal implementation, ensuring network performance and reliability.
Pictured (from left to right): JT CEO Daragh McDermott, Ericsson CEO Katherine Ainley, and Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham at the new test centre.
The project includes mobile network modernisation and upgrades to JT's Radio Access Network (RAN), Transport/Transmission and Core Network infrastructure and associated Network Management and operations tools.
Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group, said: “Reaching this exciting and critical phase on time is a testament to the exceptional skills of our team.
"The meticulous testing required to ensure network performance and reliability is of utmost importance.
"This new test environment represents a significant step towards achieving the technological transformation needed to meet future demands for Channel Islanders.”
Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson in the UK and Ireland, said: “The start of testing marks an exciting step towards completing a next-generation network, promising enhanced connectivity and innovation.”
Deputy Lyndon Farnham added: “This substantial investment by JT will ensure islanders have access to the opportunities that new technology brings.
"Focusing on the future, this development of a next-generation mobile network is about more than improved connectivity; it is about building a resilient, innovative, and prosperous future for generations to come."
If the project remains on track, 5G will be deployed island-wide by the end of 2025.
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