JT Group Limited facts for kids
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Trade name
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JT |
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| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Headquarters | Saint Helier, Jersey and St Peter Port, Guernsey |
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Key people
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Daragh McDermott (CEO) Meriel Lenfestey (Non-Executive Chairman) |
| Services | Managed Services
Voice Mobile Cloud Data Centre Cybersecurity SIM swap prevention Sponsored Roaming mobile number portability EGaming |
| Owner | States of Jersey |
| Subsidiaries | Jersey Telecom Limited Jersey Telecom (UK) Limited |
JT Group Limited, known simply as JT, is a company that provides phone, internet, and other services. It's the main company for several smaller businesses, like Jersey Telecom Limited. JT mostly helps people in the Channel Islands stay connected.
Contents
How JT Started and Grew
Back in 1972, the government of Jersey (called the States of Jersey) took over the phone systems from the British Post Office. This created a single company that had control over all phone services, like a monopoly. This lasted until 2003, when other companies were allowed to offer services too.
In 2002, JT (then called Jersey Telecom) started offering phone services in Bailiwick of Guernsey through a company called Wave Telecom. In 2003, Jersey Telecom became a private company, but the States of Jersey still owned 100% of it.
There was talk in 2006 about selling JT, but this idea was later stopped. In 2006, JT announced they would install a new, super-fast underwater cable from Dartmouth to Guernsey. In 2009, Graeme Millar became the new CEO of JT.
In 2010, JT restarted a big project to improve its network. In 2011, Jersey Telecom officially changed its name to JT. A few years later, in 2014, JT began building a new, faster 4G mobile network in Jersey. The first parts of this network went live in early 2015, and the whole island had 4G coverage just three months later.
Jersey as a Digital Testing Ground
In 2018, JT started working with big companies like Sony and ZTE. They tested new technologies like special low-power wireless networks for smart devices and even a 5G network in the Channel Islands. These partnerships are part of Jersey's plan to be a "digital sandbox," which means a place where new communication technologies can be tested out in real life. That same year, JT won the Digital Company of the Year award in Jersey.
How JT Works
Wave Telecom Services
Since 2002, JT Group has offered services in the Bailiwick of Guernsey through its company called "Wave Telecom Limited." This company is fully owned by JT Group and was later renamed JT, just like the rest of the company's services.
Super-Fast Fibre Internet
JT Fibre is a project to bring super-fast fibre optic internet directly to homes. This project started with a budget of £41.5 million. The first homes were connected in February 2012.
Even though there were some delays, JT announced in 2018 that Jersey had become the first place in the world where all broadband users were connected to its fibre network. This was a huge achievement! JT has laid over 3,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable to connect more than 45,000 homes and businesses across the island.
In January 2020, JT doubled its broadband speeds for all customers. Then, in March, they increased speeds even more to 1 Gigabit per second (1,000 Mbps) at no extra cost. This was done to help people stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2021, JT has one of the fastest internet networks in the world.
Internet of Things (IoT) Services
In June 2021, JT sold most of its business that deals with the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is about connecting everyday objects to the internet. This part of the business now operates as a separate company called Velos IoT, but it still works from Jersey.
Working with Others and International Business
In 2019, JT partnered with Speednet Communications, a big mobile network in Belize. This deal means JT helps Speednet offer a full roaming service, allowing their customers to use their phones in other countries. This partnership added to JT's already large network, which connects to over 700 networks worldwide.
JT also upgraded its mobile network to be ready for future technologies by working with a company called ECI.
Technology and Innovation
JT Lab for Testing
JT Lab is a special place where new phone and internet products can be tested. It's like a small-scale lab where companies can try out their ideas in a real environment before launching them widely. JT Group's services are regulated by the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities.
Gigabit Isles Project
In the early 2010s, JT started the Gigabit Isles project. The goal was to bring super-fast fibre internet (FTTP) to everyone in the Channel Islands, offering different internet speeds.
5G Network Trials
JT, along with other mobile companies, has been testing the new, super-fast 5G mobile network in Jersey and Guernsey. The full launch of 5G depends on getting special licenses from the telecoms regulator, JCRA.
Money Matters
Company Earnings
In 2019, JT gave £17 million in dividends to the Government of Jersey's Treasury. Dividends are like a share of the company's profits paid to its owners. While this was similar to previous years, JT's profits after tax dropped in 2018. JT's CEO, Graeme Millar, explained that this was because of higher costs and big investments in new projects and developments. Cutting roaming charges for customers also affected how much money the company made.
See also
- Airtel-Vodafone
- Sure (company)
- Telecommunications in Jersey
