Meeting the experts at the world’s leading communications conference

A team from JT is this week attending the world’s largest gathering of experts in technology and mobile connectivity. The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona is the most influential event of its type and brings together global mobile network operators, device manufacturers, technology providers and all those with an interest in the future of tech.

As a business that uses technological innovation to benefit the communities it works in, the team from JT will see first-hand the latest equipment and systems and forging new partnerships with other like-minded companies and innovators.

Marcus Irwin, Head of Product Innovation at JT, said: “With more people and devices connected to the internet than ever before, the next decade will bring greater access to information and new forms of communication. MWC is the place to meet those who are leading change in our industry. It’s where you can network with tens of thousands of senior industry decision makers and witness how ideas become the next technology that will change our lives. We are always looking for ways to evolve our own mobile network so that it’s ready for the Channel Island’s expanding digital landscape.”

MWC Barcelona is on between 27th February and 2nd March and is organised by GSMA, the association that represents mobile operators around the world. Its partners include large multi-national corporations including Microsoft, Samsung and IBM.

Marcus added: “There have been some huge steps forward because of better connectivity. Technology is evolving all the time and we need to form partnerships with the innovators so that we can work on solutions to problems as well as identifying where technology can make our lives better, more efficient, and ever more connected. That’s why we’ll be there to meet those that share our desire to do the best we can for our communities and discuss how that should be delivered.”



Working together to deliver technology the green way

Local telecoms provider JT is making 120 refurbished laptops available to charities in the Channel Islands as part of its new initiative to support good causes. JT Community Giving was launched in November last year inviting schools, charities and other groups to apply for help, whether it’s for project funding, technology support or a request for volunteers.

In the first round of applications the scheme received a high number of requests for laptops from organisations that need help with their digital support services.

JT has partnered with local IT firm SystemLabs, who have kindly donated their time to refurbish the used laptops safely and securely, fitting them with new hard drives so as to extend their lifespan for continued good use.

Pip Carpenter, JT’s Head of Commercial Market, said: “One of our aims as a local business is to make a positive contribution to our community, and making use of IT equipment we no longer use seems like the obvious and sustainable thing to do. The JT Community Giving Scheme has opened up an opportunity for us to extend the life cycle of some of our devices while helping charities across the Channel Islands who are often restricted by budget limitation. These laptops have been restored to as-new condition, with complete cleaning, restoration, and necessary hardware replacement, it’s a great green alternative and means we can support groups that do so much to support our community.’’

Alex Blackwell, Chief Operations Officer at SystemLabs, added: “The incentive by JT to repurpose their old laptops is a great way to reduce waste and enable successful applicants to give the laptops an extended life and new home. Being offered the opportunity to work with JT to complete the refurbishment of their legacy devices and securely recirculate them met with our business values around sustainability and giving back to the Island.”

The second round of JT Community Giving is open now and closes on the 31st March. It’s open to all not-for-profit businesses based in the Channel Islands, as long as they can show the direct benefit the request will have on our community.

To find out more or to apply, please visit www.jtglobal.com/community



JT celebrates 13 years supporting live acts

Island music lovers are being urged to save the dates this summer as the line-up for the 2023 Cobo Bay Balcony Gigs are announced, with great local bands adding to the party on the beach.

Organised and hosted by the Cobo Bay Hotel, and proudly sponsored by JT for the 13th year in a row, live music, food and a friendly atmosphere will provide something for everyone from April through to the last weekend in August on Guernsey’s magnificent west coast.

Whether you love Big Band music, Bon Jovi or the Beach Boys, the FREE family events will capture the spirit of a real Guernsey summer and a collection at every gig will be made for the Guernsey Cheshire Home.

Kate Marshall, Head of Guernsey Enterprise at JT, said: “We have sponsored and supported the Cobo Bay Balcony Gigs for a long time, and I am delighted to say that these much-loved Sunday afternoons will be bigger and better than ever. I am really excited about the local bands that will be supporting the headline acts at these mini community festivals. So, tell your friends, meet up and have fun. If you can’t make it or want to connect with people you know around the world, you can share JT’s live stream of each Balcony Gig.”

This year’s line-up includes tribute acts of well-known and much loved icons such as Dolly Parton and Meatloaf who will kick-off the series of gigs on Sunday 30th April.

David Nussbaumer, organiser of Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs, added: “Last year the weather was amazing, and everybody had a fantastic time, and this year there’s a great selection of bands from the UK joining our local musicians on the famous hotel balcony. The performers look forward to playing here and love getting up close to the enthusiastic audiences that book tables on the hotel terrace or dance on the beach. It’s the highlight of the year for the hotel. Customers book year after year and have become our friends and we can’t wait to greet and serve them again. Everyone agrees that there is something special about a Balcony Gig, so there really is no excuse, come and join in the fun.”

Once again JT and the event organisers are asking those who attend to play their part and collect and take their rubbish home, helping keep Guernsey’s beaches and surrounding areas litter free.

The schedule of gigs is –

Sunday 30th April: A Tribute to Meatloaf, supported by a Tribute to Cher

Sunday 29th May: A Tribute to Robbie Williams, supported by a Tribute to the Police

Sunday 25th June: Big Band Collective

Sunday 16th July: Wrong Jovi, supported by The Silverados

Sunday 6th August: A Tribute to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, supported by Coolplay

Sunday 28th August: A Tribute to The Beach Boys, supported by City Limits



JT reflects on a year of giving and looks forward to new partnerships

In 2022 JT’s people chose to support charities linked to autism and helped to raise over £40,000 across the locations where JT is based, with one of those benefitting being Autism Guernsey.

With some support and several tech donations from JT, Autism Guernsey organised many successful events, from a digital photography competition reflecting how autistic people see the world, to a fun yet competitive day of baking and of course the annual Fashion show which featured many of AG’s dedicated volunteers as catwalk models.

Mandy Rowlinson from Autism Guernsey said: “We’ve had the amazing opportunity of working with the JT team over the past 12 months on a wide range of activities. Together we’ve not only raised funds and awareness of what we do but we’ve also been able to expand our coding club thanks to the donation of much needed equipment. It’s been a really successful partnership, helping us to drive real change for autistic people and their families and we are very grateful for their fundraising and support.’’

JT also supports the personal challenges its own people take on for causes that they are connected to. Whether they are abseiling, running marathons or organising jumble sales, what they  raise is matched pound for pound. And, to spread its help and assistance across more not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups, JT has also recently  launched JT Community Giving with the aim to give back to more charitable causes. The first round of applications has closed with 28 successful bids from across the Channel Islands set to receive help ranging from funding, devices, subscriptions and technical support to hands-on help from some of JT’s many willing volunteers.

Kate Marshall, Head of Guernsey Enterprise at JT said: “I’m so proud of everything that we’ve collectively achieved with Autism Guernsey, they are a fantastic charity giving their time and experience where it’s most needed.

The launch of JT Community Giving will help us to extend our support to lots more deserving causes. We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the number of applications received so far, and it’s great to see some of the deeply thoughtful projects already in plan for 2023 that we can help with. Being part of a community unites us all and I’m delighted that we can help in so many ways through our new scheme.



JT reflects on a year of giving and looks forward to new partnerships

In 2022 JT’s people chose to support charities linked to autism and helped to raise over £40,000 across the locations where JT is based, with one of those benefitting being Autism Jersey.

With some support and several tech donations from JT, Autism Jersey organised many successful events and together produced a short JT Presents video to help spread awareness of the incredible personalised services and support the AJ team offer to autistic individuals of all ages, their families, and carers within our local community.

It was also the year when JT marked a decade of sponsoring the Autism Jersey Annual Golf Tournament which to date has raised nearly two hundred thousand pounds for people on the Autism spectrum, their families and carers in Jersey.

Lesley Harrison, Head of Charitable Services at Autism Jersey, said: “We’ve had the amazing opportunity of working with the JT team over the past 12 months on a wide range of activities. Together we’ve not only raised funds and awareness of what we do but we’ve also been able to increase the product offering in the AJ Boutique on the Parade thanks to the generous donation of some of JT’s surplus stock. It’s been a really successful partnership, helping us to drive real change for autistic people and their families and we are very grateful for their fundraising, support and general ‘can do attitude.’’

JT also supports the charity challenges its own people take on. Whether they are abseiling, running marathons or organising jumble sales, what they raise is matched pound for pound. And, to spread its help and assistance across more not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups, it has launched JT Community Giving which will be its main charitable focus from now on. The first round of applications has closed with 28 successful bids from across the Channel Islands set to receive help ranging from funding, devices, subscriptions and technical support to hands-on help from some of JT’s many willing volunteers.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Commercial Market, said: “The fantastic work that Autism Jersey does touches the lives of so many people and we are delighted that we have played a part in supporting this vital service. I’m so proud of everything that we’ve collectively achieved. The launch of JT Community Giving will help us to extend our support to lots more deserving causes. We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the number of applications received so far, and it’s great to see some of the deeply thoughtful projects already in plan for 2023 that we can help with. Being part of a community unites us all and I’m delighted that we can help in so many ways through our new scheme.’’