JT Group Limited#Wave Telecom

File:Jersey Telecoms 1933 arms.jpg

In 1972 legislation was passed in Jersey, which led the States of Jersey to take over the country's telephone exchanges from the British Post Office.{{cite web|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2015/02/25/1155447/|title=Essential services under review|newspaper=Jersey Evening Post|date=25 February 2015|access-date=20 April 2018|archive-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421031158/https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2015/02/25/1155447/|url-status=dead}} A state monopoly was formed through the Telecommunications Board in 1973,[http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/scrutinyreviewresearches/2006/567-37054-2692006.pdf Scrutiny Reviews] statesassembly.gov.je {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094702/https://statesassembly.gov.je/scrutinyreviewresearches/2006/567-37054-2692006.pdf |date=21 April 2018 }} and remained under state control until 2003, when the market was opened to competition. In 2002 JT was granted licences by the Office of Utility Regulation to operate fixed and mobile telecommunications services to, from and within the Bailiwick of Guernsey and was known as Wave Telecom.[https://www.gov.je/ImportedNewsObject/JTGroupLimitedproposedsaleP28_2007.pdf JT Group Limited] gov.je Retrieved 7 July 2023 The following year in 2003, Jersey Telecom became a private company, though it remained under 100% ownership by the States.

In 2006 the States of Jersey Council of Ministers proposed the sale of JT Limited. In 2008, following comments in the Scrutiny report and market uncertainty, the Minister for Treasury and Resources decided to withdraw the proposition.[http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/scrutinyreports/2008/report%20-%20jersey%20telecom%20privatisation%20supplementary%20report%20-%2029%20january%202008.pdf Report. Jersey Telecom] gov.je {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421162854/https://statesassembly.gov.je/scrutinyreports/2008/report%20-%20jersey%20telecom%20privatisation%20supplementary%20report%20-%2029%20january%202008.pdf |date=21 April 2018 }} In November 2006 JT then announced that it was to install a new high capacity optical submarine cable from Dartmouth to L'Ancresse Bay on the north west tip of Guernsey.{{cite web|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2006/11/24/jt-to-lay-a-7m-cable-to-the-uk/|title=JT to lay a £7m cable to the UK|website=jerseyeveningpost.com|date=24 November 2006 }} In 2009 Graeme Millar, formerly Chief Commercial Officer of Mobile TeleSystems, the Russian mobile operator, became the CEO of JT.{{cite news|url=https://issuu.com/businessrevieweme/docs/bro-jtgroup-sept2015|title=JT Group Brochure - September 2015|work=Issuu }}

In April 2010 JT relaunched its Next Generation Networking (NGN) programme which had run into technical difficulties the previous autumn.{{cite web|url=https://www.silicon.co.uk/workspace/jersey-guernsey-to-get-broadband-boost-11173|title=Jersey, Guernsey To Get Broadband Boost - Silicon UK|date=8 November 2010}} In September 2011, Jersey Telecom changed its name to JT.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-14905582|title=Jersey Telecom changes name to JT|work=BBC News |date=13 September 2011}} The following year, in 2012, JT acquired Worldstone.{{cite web |url=https://guernseypress.com/news/business/2012/08/03/jt-group-buys-global-voice-and-data-provider-worldstone/ |title = JT Group buys global voice and data provider Worldstone {{!}} Guernsey Press| date=3 August 2012 }} In September 2014, JT began work on a £12m 4G network in Jersey.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/business/jt-4g-coverage-extends-more-parishes/#.Wdnjiq2ZOTc|title=JT 4G coverage extends to more parishes|work=Bailiwick Express|access-date=2017-10-08|language=en}} The first masts went live in February 2015 and full Island coverage was reached three months later.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/jt-completes-jerseys-first-4g-network/#.Wdnhcq2ZOTc|title=JT completes Jersey's first 4G network|work=Bailiwick Express|access-date=2017-10-08|language=en}} On 28 March 2014 JT partnered with Fon and the service became available to JT broadband subscribers connected to fibre in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2016/12/12/free-wi-fi-around-world-for-jt-fibre-customers/|title=Free wi-fi around world for JT fibre customers|website=jerseyeveningpost.com|date=12 December 2016 |language=en|access-date=2017-10-03}}

In 2018 JT began partnering with Sony in order to test its newly developed Low-Power, Wide-Area Wireless Network (LPWAN) technology, for use in the Internet of Things where low speed data links are utilized.{{cite web |url=https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2018/01/jt-sony-test-low-power-wide-area-wireless-network-jersey.html|title=JT and Sony Test Low-Power Wide-Area Wireless Network on Jersey UPDATE|date=26 January 2018 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.blglobal.co.uk/Features.aspx?id=do-the-channel-islands-dream-of-electric-sheep |title=Do the Channel Islands dream of electric sheep? |publisher=BL Global}} That year JT also partnered with ZTE to bring a 5G network to the Channel islands.{{Cite web|url=https://totaltele.com/|title=Total Telecom | News, analysis and events for global telecoms|website=totaltele.com|access-date=7 July 2023}} Both deals are a part of JT's and Jersey's role as a "digital sandbox", for testing new telecommunications technologies.{{cite web |url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/business/new-deal-signs-arrival-5g-jersey/#.XKz_qFVKjIV|title=New deal signals arrival of 5G in Jersey|publisher=Bailiwick Express}} That year JT was named Digital Company of the Year award at the Jersey TechAwards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digital.je/news-events/digital-news/jerseys-first-techawards-winners-announced/|title=Jersey's First TechAwards Winners Announced|date=19 October 2018|website=Digital Jersey|access-date=7 July 2023}}

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JT Group has operated in the Bailiwick of Guernsey since 2002 through the subsidiary company "Wave Telecom Limited", a wholly owned subsidiary of the JT Group, which was later renamed JT with the rest of the company's properties.[http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/assemblyreports/2014/r.091-2014.pdf Report 2014] statesassembly.gov.je {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418013351/http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/AssemblyReports/2014/R.091-2014.pdf |date=18 April 2016 }}

JT Fibre is a fibre to the home service, was initiated with a budget of £41.5m with £20m provided by the States of Jersey.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-21249371 |title=BBC News – Jersey fibre broadband plan 'behind schedule', says minister |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2013-01-29 |access-date=2013-02-04}} The first homes were connected in February 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5037-first-homes-connected-to-jersey-telecom-fibre-trial|title=First homes connected to JT Group (Jersey) fibre trial {{!}} thinkbroadband|website=www.thinkbroadband.com|access-date=2017-10-08}} The project ran into difficulties in 2013 due to a dispute between JT and contractors and JT established a new subsidiary to take the programme forward.{{Cite web|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2013/01/29/40m-gigabit-island-in-trouble/|title=£40m 'gigabit Island' in trouble?|website=jerseyeveningpost.com|date=29 January 2013 |language=en|access-date=2017-10-08}} In November 2015, JT admitted that the project was behind schedule and could finish three years after its 2016 completion deadline.{{Cite web|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2015/11/19/jts-super-fast-broadband-installation-project-will-finish-behind-schedule-by-as-much-as-three-years/|title=JT's super-fast broadband installation project will finish behind schedule – by as much as three years|website=jerseyeveningpost.com|date=19 November 2015 |language=en|access-date=2017-10-08}} In January 2017, JT announced that the work was 70% complete.{{cite web|title=JT Global: About Us: Our History|url=https://jtglobal.com/Global/Global-Landing-Page/About-Us2/What-We-Do/Our-History/|publisher=JT Global|access-date=11 March 2018|language=en}} The project was delayed as the result of services having to be provided to additional new homes that had been built since the project began.{{Cite news|last=Cellan-Jones|first=Rory|title=Fibre island: How Jersey went ultra fast|language=en|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-45810063|access-date=2018-10-10}}{{failed verification|date=October 2023}}

In 2018, JT announced that thanks to the completion of its full-fibre network, Jersey had become the first jurisdiction in the world where 100 percent of broadband users were on its fibre network. The JT Fibre project began in 2012 with a budget of £41.5m, of which £20m was provided by the Government of Jersey. The first properties were connected in February 2012,{{Cite web|last=Ferguson|first=Andrew|date=2012-02-13|title=First homes connected to JT Group (Jersey) fibre trial|url=https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5037-first-homes-connected-to-jersey-telecom-fibre-trial|website=Think Broadband}} but the project ran into difficulties with JT defending the progress after criticism in the States Assembly.{{Cite news|title=Jersey fibre broadband plan 'behind schedule', says minister|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-21249371|access-date=2013-01-29}} JT has laid over 3,000 km of individual fibre-optic cable to over 45,000 homes and businesses providing access, regardless of means, to the whole Island.{{cite web |url=https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2018/07/jt-completes-its-ftth-gigabit-broadband-isp-network-on-jersey.html |title=JT Completes FTTH Gigabit Broadband ISP Network on Jersey |publisher=ISPreview |date=11 July 2018}}

In January 2020, JT announced it was doubling broadband speeds from 250 Mbit/s to 500 Mbit/s for all subscribers. In March, following discussions with Digital Jersey and other telecom operators, JT increased speeds to 1 Gbit/s at no extra cost as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-18|title=Free fibre upgrade for all users during covid-19|url=https://www.digital.je/news-events/digital-news/free-fibre-upgrade-for-all-users-during-covid-19/|access-date=2020-03-18|website=Digital Jersey}}

As of 2021, JT has the fastest network in the world.{{cite web |title=Worldwide Broadband Speed League 2021 |url=https://www.cable.co.uk/broadband/speed/worldwide-speed-league/ |website=Cable.co.uk |access-date=18 January 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=JT welcomes research ranking Jersey fibre broadband network as best worldwide |url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/jt-welcomes-research-ranking-jersey-fibre-broadband-network-as-best-worldwide--1397360 |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=www.telecompaper.com |date=16 September 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Stolte |first1=Jake |title=Island claims top spot in global broadband speed |url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2021/09/17/island-claims-top-spot-in-global-broadband-speed/ |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=Jersey Evening Post |date=17 September 2021}}

JT sold a majority stake in its Internet of Things business in June 2021{{Cite news|last=Potigny|first=Fiona|date=2021-06-24|title=Government windfall on way|work=Bailiwick Express|url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/gov-windfall-way-after-jt-makes-200m-sale/?t=i}}

to family-backed private equity firm Perwyn.{{Cite news|last=Hathway|first=Charlotte|date=2021-06-24|title=JT sells its IoT division to Perwyn|url=https://www.commsbusiness.co.uk/content/news/jt-sells-its-iot-division-to-perwyn|work=CommsBusiness}} The business

continues to operate from Jersey as Velos IoT.

In 2019, JT signed a partnership with Speednet Communications, the leading mobile network provider in Belize. The deal meant JT would provide a fully managed roaming service using its existing 2G, 3G and 4G roaming connectivity. The partnership added to JT's already wide roaming network that has access to over 700 networks around the world.{{Cite news|date=2019-02-28|title=JT adds Belize to global network|work=Bailiwick Express|url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/business/jt-adds-belize-global-network/#.XxrmUy2ZPFy}}

JT upgraded its mobile network to be able to cope with future demands and technologies by signing a deal with ECI to upgrade its optical network.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-05|title=Europe's Most Connected Telco Chooses ECI to Bring Future-ready Networking to the Channel Islands|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/europe-s-most-connected-telco-chooses-eci-to-bring-future-ready-networking-to-the-channel-islands-1028256163#|website=Business Insider}}

JT Lab provides facilities for the trial and testing of telecoms related products in small-scale and live environments.{{cite web|url=http://www.dqmagazine.com/news/jts-lab-facility-going-global-10167/|title=JT's lab facility goes global|last=E-scape|website=www.dqmagazine.com}} JT Group is regulated by the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cicra.gg/business-resources/telecoms/licences-in-issue/?page=1|title=Licences in issue|website=The Channel Islands Competition & Regulatory Authorities}}

In the early 2010s, JT created the Gigabit Isles project, in order to spread access to FTTP broadband to the full population if the Isles region, at various data rates.[https://recombu.com/digital/article/jersey-superfast-fibre-broadband-rollout-1gbps-for-all-by-2016_m10486-html What are Jersey Telecom and Gigabit Jersey?], Recombu, 26 November 2012

Along with other mobile operators, JT has taken part in limited trials of 5G at two test sites, one in Jersey and the other Guernsey. Roll out of 5G is dependent on licences being issued by the telecoms regulator, the JCRA.{{Cite web|title=Ookla 5G map|url=https://www.speedtest.net/ookla-5g-map|website=Speedtest}}

In 2019, JT returned £17m in dividends to the Government of Jersey's Treasury, which was in line with previous years. However, the Jersey Evening Post reported a fall in profits {{Cite news|last=Garfield-Bennet|first=Gwyn|date=2019-04-30|title=JT contributes £17 million to Treasury despite fall in profits|work=Jersey Evening Post|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2019/04/30/jt-contributes-17-million-to-treasury-despite-fall-in-profits/|access-date=2019-04-30}} which JT's CEO Graeme Millar explained was down to higher operating costs and investment in major projects and developments. In 2018, profits after tax were £2.2m, a drop of more than half. JT said cutting roaming charges had hit revenue and it had been expensive to increase the number of broadband users on unlimited contracts.

• Airtel-Vodafone
• Sure (company)
• Telecommunications in Jersey

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