The final metre of a 38Km fibre-optic network was laid this week, marking the completion of JT’s three-year programme of works to connect 42 States of Guernsey buildings to the new JT fibre network; and 120 sites to the MPLS Wide Area Network (WAN).
JT Guernsey’s Managing Director, Paul D Taylor helped to lay the final pieces of cabling in Route des Fauconnaires on Tuesday 15 December 2015.
The WAN provides a foundation for future connectivity for the States of Guernsey. It delivers a secure, dedicated connection to share services and information via a robust, superfast broadband network. For our local children in education, thanks to this project their schools have been connected and they will benefit from greater opportunities for digital learning, faster and better online collaboration and enhanced speeds in their schools which are part of the WAN.
Guernsey’s Education Minister, Deputy Robert Sillars, said: “Technology not only enhances the learning experience it actually accelerates it and to ensure that Guernsey children can benefit from emerging technologies in the classroom it is vital that we continue to invest. Future-proofing education starts and ends with an infrastructure that is capable of supporting new technologies for generations to come, and the WAN that JT has delivered does just that. Coupled with JT’s fibre-optic network States departments and schools now have access to the fastest and most resilient connectivity, which importantly goes a long way to enabling our schools and pupils to excel.”
JT Guernsey’s Managing Director, Paul D Taylor, said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of the States of Guernsey WAN on time and within budget, and I thank the States of Guernsey team and all our engineers and project managers in helping us reach this point. The WAN will ensure that the States departments have the very best connectivity now and well into the future and JT is proud to have been chosen to deliver this very important and large-scale project.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public and local businesses for their patience whilst we carried out the essential road works as part of this project which are completed for now. We did our best to minimise disruption through working closely with other utilities and the Public Services Department which is something we always try to do.”
Furthermore, the completion of the WAN also represents another key milestone in JT’s on-going commitment to investing in the Channel Islands’ infrastructure to provide fibre-optic gigabit broadband to revolutionise the internet experience for islanders and businesses alike, so helping ensure Guernsey’s future as a ‘Digital Isle’ is supported.
Paul D Taylor, added: “JT holds a long-term vision to future-proof infrastructure across the Channel Islands, firstly to cope with the growing amount of data we are consuming at an exponential rate and secondly to support new technology as it emerges. Ultimately, our commitment to build fibre networks across Jersey and Guernsey, coupled with our £12 million investment in an advanced 4G CI mobile network is ensuring the delivery of seamless, high-speed connectivity that is scalable and makes our islands an attractive proposition for digital progression.”
JT’s ongoing £7 million programme to deliver a fibre network for Guernsey continues with residential trials currently being carried out within two developments across the island.