Graeme Millar WCA Awards

World Communications Awards celebrate Jersey’s full-fibre network

JT’s full-fibre network – which means that the people in the Channel Islands now enjoy internet speeds that are among the fastest in the world – has won its greatest accolade yet: being presented with ‘The Best Network Transformation Award’ at the top international communications awards.

The judges particularly praised the speed at which every broadband user in Jersey had been directly connected to fibre broadband – quicker than it has been done anywhere else in the world – and at no cost to users. That achievement has elevated Jersey to first place in the world in terms of the percentage of fibre-to-the-home customers.

The British island now ranks third in the world for average broadband speed, according to the annual 2019 world speeds report from research firm M-Lab and Cable.co.uk. The report noted a 118.32% increase in broadband speed in the island compared to the previous year.

The judges also hailed the social-inclusivity of the network, opening the door to new digital possibilities for every Islander, and providing the capacity for the Island’s business community to continue to expand and flourish.

Graeme Millar, CEO of JT, said “The Gigabit Project involved laying 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. This has transformed businesses and created new revenue streams, catching the interest of multi-national companies to relocate projects to Jersey. This means there are new jobs and training opportunities in exciting roles, including Fintech, Medtech, e-gaming and cloud-computing, all bringing further diversity to Jersey’s economy.

“Outside the business world, full fibre has paved the way for many community projects, not least in education where students are benefiting from new ways of learning. Householders are also embracing the opportunity to go ‘smart’. Homes in Jersey now have an average of 23 devices directly connected to the internet.”

Over 550 telecom companies, representing over 35 countries, took part in World Communications Awards 2019, which took place in the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, in London, on Wednesday 30 October 2019.

Other businesses shortlisted in the Best Network Transformation category included TalkTalk Business, Altice Portugal and Saudi Telecom Company.