JT’s MWC21 Roundup #MWC21
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MWC 2021 was different from other years, the dates moved, the attendees were mostly virtual and the whole programme adapted, but it was worth the wait. With the latest tech on display from world renowned brands, up-andcoming start-ups, appearances by guest speakers like Arvind Krishna of IBM and most notably, Elon Musk of SpaceX it was an event not to be missed for anyone in the connectivity industry. In 2020, MWC was rightly cancelled due to COVID-19, the effects of which are still being felt in much of the world (particularly third-world countries) as we write our annual ‘wrap-up’ eBook a year on. As we tentatively look past the time we find ourselves in, it’s clear to all of us that the world is never going to be the same. To a large degree, the positive changes we have to look forward to are thanks to the work done by the speakers, exhibitors and attendees of MWC. After all, it was the innovation, quick response, and pre-existing reliability of
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the connectivity industry that helped people stay in touch with their loved ones and continue to live virtually. Without connectivity, the light at the end of the tunnel would be far less bright. In this eBook, we review the major themes and technologies we saw being discussed at MWC. We’ll be breaking these technologies down, looking at their relevance in the current state of the world, and explore how JT is either investing in these innovations or bringing key learnings back to benefit our Islands. With all of this in mind, let’s look back at the conversation and highlights of MWC 2021.
Daragh McDermott Managing Director, Channel Islands
5G Deployment & Beyond Frank Vernieuwe
Interim Chief Information Technology Officer
Looking forward to 5G deployment and the following generation of cellular connectivity. 5G represents the next generation of mobile connectivity. It’s faster, more efficient, and more reliable than any cellular connectivity that already exists. It is such a dramatic leap ahead from 4G that the benefits are bound to be felt for far longer. To put it to numbers, 5G is ten times faster than the typical cellular speeds we see today. It can deliver those speeds with far more devices connected to a single network. This will not only make our lives more convenient and enjoyable but open the door for services and technologies that would otherwise be impossible.
Why is 5G relevant to 2021? As we’ve seen at the Mobile World Congress, 5G is particularly relevant to 2021 because we are currently in a state of hyper-connectivity. Never before have we been so dependent and hungry for connectivity. This is as true on a personal level as it is on an enterprise level. For individuals, 5G will make connectivity more accessible and trustworthy. In areas where connectivity has been limited and slow, 5G has the potential to change lives and provide new opportunities. For businesses, 5G is a total game-changer.
JT is at the forefront of 5G deployment in the Channel Islands* subject to licensing
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We built a test site early on in 5G’s development and are committed to expanding the deployment of 5G in the Channel Islands. JT is also invested in multiple industries that will benefit from 5G. This includes
It will hasten the proliferation of IoT technology as well as set the stage for a truly mobile workplace. 5G will also empower businesses to perform more dataintensive work without being hindered by connectivity speeds, bandwidth, or reliability.
Looking beyond 5G Of course, Mobile World Congress isn’t just about looking at the current standard for connectivity, it’s also about looking forward. For that reason, there have been several presentations and discussions on 6G, a tech so early in its formation that we’re still theorising on its possibilities. Those possibilities include empowering wearables like smartwatches and AR glasses to a point that they can supplement (or replace) smartphones. 6G is also predicted to bring about the possibility of holographic communications, allowing us to interact in the third person, even when we’re thousands of miles apart. In the same way that 5G represents a dramatic leap in performance from 4G, 6G is expected to bring ten or possibly one hundred times the speeds of 5G. It’s exciting to see so many great minds and companies exploring this topic at MWC.
IoT, eSIM development, and the evolution of cybersecurity. From healthcare to transportation to energy efficiency, 5G promises to save time and money and improve many aspects of our connected lives.
What does the new workplace look like?
while others will require a hybrid solution.
Well, one thing is for certain: the theme of working habits and styles sat at the heart of many Mobile World Congress discussions this year. After all, businesses and society as a whole have witnessed an exciting glimpse into the future of work. More people are working remotely than ever before and will continue to do so permanently.
The future of work combines technologies like the cloud, XaaS platforms, mobile communications, and cutting-edge approaches to networking. So it should come as no surprise that JT is investing and innovating heavily in this continuallygrowing sector.
There are certain aspects of the future of work that we can’t predict. Which is why flexibility is key moving forward. Not only because of the future’s uncertainty but because of our industry’s unique ability (and responsibility) to meet and adapt to uncertainty. Throughout the pandemic, remote work platforms, digital communications, and cloud connectivity have been critical. Without them, many of us would have had a much more challenging time. For this reason, businesses should look to move to cloud-centric solutions. This will look different for every business. Some companies will be able to fully embrace cloud-based systems,
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One of JT’s contributions to remote work is Unified Communications. This allows customers to combine their different communications and collaboration tools into a single system, that is truly fit-for-purpose in our ‘new normal’ whether hybrid or fully hosted to suit the needs of the workforce.
The New Workplace Katie Corbett
Director of Enterprise & Business Services (C.I.)
Enterprise & Private Networks Marcus Irwin
Head of Solution Design
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It’s easy to see why, given that it embodies so much of our current needs when it comes to networking, secure remote or multi site working – the integration or partnership of the two technologies would be such an asset for business connectivity. It’s the simplicity and power of SD-WAN that make it ideal for virtualisation and workplace transformation. For instance, many of the representatives at Mobile World Congress have covered the importance of sustainability in connectivity and for the continual improvement of
JT launch secure business service after successful hospital trial
How JT is investing in the future of enterprise and private networks
One piece of connective technology that gained further notoriety at this year’s Mobile World Congress is SDWAN. Although SD-WAN is not new, the possibilities of merging 5G capabilities with SD-WAN technology for increased mobility and network control will change the entire networking landscape for businesses.
Granted, the integration of 5G into our SD-WAN service at JT isn’t quite on the horizon for us yet – however, we are already making major strides in the SD-WAN networking all the same. The Government of Jersey’s Digital Health Team came to JT in need of a solution for healthcare professionals working from home.
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The tech JT developed and implemented allowed them to safely and effectively work from home. Six Consultant Radiologists were able to complete their work from their homes by simply plugging an SD-WAN gateway into their home router. Without this tech, these professionals would have been left to choose
working set-ups in our ‘new normal’ – which for us at JT, SD-WAN represents so well. SD-WAN can aid in sustainability efforts by increasing the ability of businesses to virtualise their hardware. Its strength and multi-tenancy features allow companies to bring software, data storage, and hardware to their teams regardless of where they’re located. The security of networks is more important than ever, and can’t be overlooked as we bring greater mobility to end users. The move to virtualisation and an at-home work paradigm means that enterprise networking is facing a greater risk. Hackers know that companies are in a state of increased vulnerability during this transition period and have innovated networking threats rapidly. SD-WAN can help mitigate these risks by bringing a secure, optimised, self-healing network connection for users, capable of keeping your teams connected without compromising the security of the data they’re accessing.
between jeopardising their health or providing a service through lessthan-reliable means. As we look to the future, knowing how the evolution of SD-WAN is conceptualising with nextgeneration mobile technologies, and with our own cutting-edge use of the technology, we’re excited to see where we can take it next…
Sustainable connectivity is more like a set of practices than it is a technology. It’s the process of adopting and implementing green, eco-friendly approaches to connectivity which made it one of the most talked about topics at MWC 2021. There are several facets and avenues to sustainable connectivity. It involves powering connectivity technology with renewable energy, crafting a clean supply chain for products and hardware, and reducing the amount of hardware being shipped to consumers via innovation.
Why is sustainable connectivity relevant to 2021? Sustainability’s relevancy in 2021 and beyond isn’t limited to the connectivity industry. Not by a long shot. Taking steps towards a more responsible and long-term approach to our impact on the environment is a critical human endeavour. Sustainability is relevant to every existing, new, and future technology in the connectivity landscape, and will be from now onward. At JT, we firmly believes in the value of sustainable efforts and are committed to pursuing sustainable initiatives with innovation and passion. We’ve already outlined a 10-year plan
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and are working with Stakeholders and Governments to bring that time line to fruition as quickly as possible. JT’s goals are to become carbon neutral, extending into a carbon-neutral supply chain, and to aid our stakeholders in approaching a carbon-neutral model as well. We are committed to providing products and services which help us, and our customers work towards environmentally beneficial practices such as the virtualisation of hardware (with networking technology like SD-WAN, discussed previously), wider availability of cloud-based systems, and reducing our physical footprint in the workplace with our Zero1 service which includes energy monitoring as well as fully-automated home or office environments.
Read JT’s 10-Year Sustainability Strategy Report 2021 FIND OUT MORE
Connectivity for Good Tom Noel
Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director
Mobile World Congress, JT and beyond 2021 Mobile World Congress this year comes at a poignant time for us at JT; as I ‘take the reigns’ as CEO, following the hugely successful tenure of Graeme Millar, MWC provides great inspiration, exposure and opportunity. The event brings innovators and their solutions to centre stage and with them opportunities for us to learn from one another and sharpen existing strategies.
At JT we’re determined to champion these technologies, advancing each to meet the continually evolving needs of our customers – and I can’t wait to see where they take us next. Together, we’re ready for tomorrow.
I’d like to thank the JT team who attended virtually and, in this eBook, provided their insights from the event. As we look forward now as a business, it’s clear that technologies like 5G (and 6G), advanced enterprise networking, sustainable connectivity, and the embracement of remote working via Cloud tech are critical.
To find out more about any of our products, services or digital transformation technologies, please visit us at: www.jtglobal.com/JTEnterprise JT Group Limited JT_Business
John Diamond
Interim JT Group CEO