The future is bright for Channel Islands communications

Meriel Lenfestey, chair at JT, talks about the company’s vision for the future, plus the importance of modernisation, transformation and keeping pace with change

JT has a 135-year history of communications in the Channel Islands and we’d like to continue making sure that the relationship we have with our customers is as strong as it could possibly be. Delighting our customers by delivering the connectivity they need in the way they need it is what makes JT.

Every islander relies on connectivity, so it is vital that we continue to provide a resilient service that meets current and future needs. Our five-year strategy for the Channel Islands is focused on modernising our networks to become more digital and, as a result, more dynamic, flexible, and customisable, transforming the business into a sustainable communication provider of the future.

Custodians of critical infrastructure

Of course, that means different things for our islands, but underpinning our local approaches is sustainability in all senses of the word. We are focussing our efforts on delivering the best for all our stakeholdersour customers, our people, our shareholder, our islands and the planet. We no longer measure success based purely on financial results; we monitor progress and reward against the experience of all these stakeholders.

We must uncover the significant opportunities that further telecommunications advancements present in both islands. Technology is changing at an unprecedented rate; digital transformation is not a ‘one off change’; it continually evolves, and we must embrace the need for constant progress while understanding that technology is about empowering people and improving processes.

In the future, working life will be increasingly borderless and inclusive, and hybrid and remote working have already become mainstream, enabled by faster, more resilient digital connectivity.

Keeping up with the pace of change

While the shift to a more digital world hasn’t been exclusive to the world of work, with the greater access to artificial intelligence platforms we have seen this year, automation and streamlining processes have created opportunities available to all businesses, regardless of their size or sector.

Of course, these digital advancements came with more digital security concerns. As new technologies transform security operations, the role of security itself is changing. What was once considered just another standard business expense has become a critical source of added value, a true strategic asset that can give businesses a competitive edge.

As we move through 2023, businesses have a lot to consider. Cybersecurity concerns, better ways of working, more sustainable practices, and next-generation technology are all at the top of the list. We can make the world more welcoming, sustainable, and connected by evaluating and adapting to emerging digital trends.

Transformation is required to support revolutionary new services and solutions. In Jersey, we are continuing on a journey of modernisation and transformation, increasing our network resilience and opening up opportunities for forward thinking innovative businesses.

Our future depends on keeping pace with technology change, and as with all local utility organisations, our success is intricately linked to the Channel Islands’ success; there is a natural co-dependency and a coexistence that means our objectives are very clearly aligned.

Inevitably, there will be some impact as we withdraw end-of-life platforms and ensure we comply with new regulations concerning security and continuity of service. However, upgrading the equipment which runs our network and the opportunity to build the eagerly anticipated 5G network will be a perfect partner to Jersey’s enviable fibre network.

Together they bring a phenomenal opportunity to redefine how we do business, learn, meet our environmental and sustainability objectives, and deliver our healthcare.

In Guernsey, the future is also bright. The island will be connected to full fibre by 2026, with JT having already connected over 700 customers. We made our first fibre connection in Guernsey in 2013 and we’re proud of the integral role we’re playing in providing customer choice, opening up the opportunities that, from our experience, we know will follow once the community has full access to super-fast fibre speeds. Full fibre connectivity will attract businesses and investment to Guernsey, leading to increased economic and social growth. It has positive outcomes for education, healthcare, and the environment.

Across both islands, faster internet speeds and ubiquitous connectivity mean businesses can improve their productivity by enabling employees, partners and suppliers to work more efficiently, from anywhere, collaborate on projects in real time, with secure live data, and access cloud-based services and applications.

Building a brighter future

These next generations of technology bring many opportunities for the Channel Islands, and JT is here to enable them but not at the cost of our natural world. So, as well as JT’s planet commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 in our scope one and two carbon emissions, we also focus on the broader spectrum of sustainability, which extends far beyond that of just carbon emissions. JT’s purpose is simple: to Connect People Together, harnessing technology to transform how we communicate, do business and build communities.