Our history

Our History

JT have over 130 years’ experience in telecommunications with a rich history dating back to 1895.
JT timeline

1895

First of all, the first telephone exchange is opened in Jersey by the National Telephone Company.

1910

There is already one telephone for every 49 people in the island.

1912

The Jersey exchange network is taken over by the British Post Office.

1923

Exchange is bought by the States of Jersey and named the States Telephone Committee. Also, there are 14 mechanical Magneto exchanges and many miles of overhead lines servicing 1,500 customers.

1926

Consequently, the first Central Battery exchange is built in Minden Place.

1931

The first link with the UK telephone network is established using part of a pre First World War German transatlantic cable because it had been diverted in 1914 when it provided a telegraph link.

1940-45

  • During the occupation of the Channel Islands all communications with the outside world are consequently, stopped. Hence, the German army take over many of the lines and cables but the civilian exchanges are allowed to continue to operate.
  • One local technician is permanently assigned to the German army. However, the rest of the staff are allowed to pursue their normal work maintaining the local telephone system. Therefore, a reasonable standard of service is maintained for much of this time, however, towards the end, the electricity power supply is restricted meaning that the Battery exchanges have to close.
  • During the occupation the number of connected customers falls by 2,000 due to residents leaving the islands and the occupation forces requisitioning lines.

1948

The number of customers increases to almost 10,000 which results in an average of 130,000 local calls per week.

1949-55

A process of modernisation takes place to replace the Magneto exchanges in the country areas with Central Battery Exchanges.

1954

The new Trunk Exchange is opened at Minden Place, therefore providing 18 circuits to and from London, 22 circuits to and from Bristol, 8 to Guernsey and 2 to Rennes in France.

1958

Jersey’s first automatic Strowger exchange comes into operation with a capacity for 9,000 lines. An extensive external development programme therefore follows and a great number of overhead lines are replaced with underground cables.

1966

Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) is introduced, because of this almost all UK calls can now be dialled directly instead of going through the operator.

1975

Automatic exchanges are commissioned at the East and North of the island. These are the Crossbar type and, above all, enable tone dialling which leads to the introduction of telephones with keypads instead of a dial.

1976

West PRX (Processor Reed Exchange) exchange opened in early 1976.  Likewise, International Subscriber Dialling (ISD) is introduced enabling local customers to dial direct to over 26 countries.

1979

Jersey’s first Radio Paging network is established with almost 600 pages issued in the first year of operation.

1980’s

Many new services are introduced throughout the 80’s. Probably, the most significant being the introduction of System X Digital Exchanges island wide.  This computer controlled system was consequently developed for BT and has the advantage of allowing Jersey to be completely compatible with the UK network. Microwave links are put in place between Jersey and the UK and France so that communications links can be maintained in the unlikely event of a breakdown of the main cable.

1983

The 60,000th telephone is connected.

1987

Jersey Telecom’s first analogue mobile network service is introduced due to a collaboration with Cellnet UK. Most noteworthy, over 3,000 customers are using the service before JT introduce it’s own digital GSM network at the end of 1994.

1989

The first fibre optic cable between Guernsey and England is finally introduced.

1994

A second fibre optic cable is put in place running from Jersey to the UK.  This cable is certainly still the longest unrepeated optical cable in the world. Together both cables carry even more than 32,000 simultaneous calls.

2002

Jersey Telecom announces the launch of Wave Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary operating as a new telecoms provider in Guernsey.

2003

  • On 1st January 2003 the Telecommunications (Jersey) Law 2002 comes into force in its entirety. Also on that date, the operational activities of the Telecommunications Board were incorporated and Jersey Telecom Limited commenced business under an entirely different regulatory regime.
  • The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority is now even more responsible, through its licensing activities, for ensuring that both current and prospective demands for telecommunications services are provided.

2004

Now, 16% of Jersey Households have Broadband and JT launch its first wireless hotspots.

2005

Jersey Telecom opens a world-class data centre.

2006

  • Freedom service improved for our customers thus reducing the SIM pack price to £39.99 and offering 25% extra free on £20 top up cards for promotional periods.
  • The JT shop in Jersey moves to 18 Queen Street on the high street and also announces a two year sponsorship of Jersey Live Music Festival.
  • JCRA require all operators to put in place Mobile Number Portability.
  • The Jersey Telecom Group announces plans for a new £7m submarine fibre optic cable that is due to connect the Channel Islands’ telecommunications infrastructure to global networks.
  • Jersey Telecoms therefore, quadruple the speed of its standard broadband service to a new standard download speed of 2Mb.

2007

The Board of Jersey Telecom Group Ltd supports the proposition by the Treasury and Resources Minister, Senator Terry Le Sueur, that the Company should finally be sold. However, it was decided later in the year that the company would not be sold.

2008

JT launch new online billing system and is therefore, the first operator in the Channel Islands’ to launch the new Apple iPhone.

2009

JT start a new 8M/bits Broadband trial and also gains a new chairman.

2010

  • Jersey Telecom complete acquisition of rival operator Newtel Guernsey and also announce eKit.com acquisition.
  • JT initiate first residential Gigabit broadband connection in Europe at two residential developments in Jersey.

2011

  • Jersey Telecom introduced the CI’s fastest mobile broadband of 14.4Mb*.
  • They also introduced The Cloud Wi-Fi in the Channel Islands including access on some Connex bus routes.
  • Jersey Telecom consequently, re-brands to JT.

2012

  • JT acquires major London based company, Worldstone.
  • Wave Telecom and JT are also combined to operate under one name JT.
  • JT launch island wide ‘Gigabit Jersey’ project.

2013

  • JT achieves Broadband World Forum recognition for ‘Gigabit Jersey’.
  • They also acquire Jersey Voucher and thus launch JTRewards.com.
  • JT connect first school in Jersey to Gigabit Broadband.

2014

  • JT data centres become SOC (Service Organisation Certification) certified.
  • JT’s 10,000th customer is connected to fibre.
  • Jersey’s first 4G mobile network is thus launched by JT.

2015

  • Jersey hosts the NatWest Island Games, which is powered by JT.
  • JT reaches the milestone of 10 years sponsoring Jersey Live Music Festival.
  • JT’s 4G network is thus completed, the first in Jersey.
  • Also JT celebrates its millionth subscriber to their network.

2016

  • JT was awarded the Islands’ fastest mobile and internet networks in Jersey and Guernsey, as confirmed by the Speedtest Awards from Ookla, the worlds No 1 Internet test*.
  • JT also won the Best Go-to-Market Cloud Strategy Award in the 2016 Telco Cloud Forum Awards.
  • JT expands globally beause of it’ IoT partnership with innovative firm NeoConsult.
  • JT were the first provider in the Channel Islands to achieve the coveted ‘Advanced Collaboration Architecture Specialisation’ due to recognition from global technology provider Cisco.

2017

  • JT were once again awarded the Islands’ fastest internet networks in Jersey and Guernsey, and also the fastest mobile network in Guernsey, confirmed by the Speedtest Awards from Ookla, the worlds No 1 Internet test*.
  • In January 2017, JT announced that it had completed almost 70% of its planned connections to Jersey’s fibre-optic broadband network.
  • JT sign an agreement with the national telecoms company of Andorra to work together in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and even more information security.
  • JT and Inmarsat announce the formation of a new strategic partnership, so to deliver a total connectivity solution for Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
  • JT become the official Technology Partner for SuperLeague – a world-class triathlon event being held in Jersey, certainly for the next 5 years.
  • JT won Best Telco Cloud of the Year Award for its ground-breaking Cloud Private Network Connection (CPNC) and most noteworthy, its shared-platform service.
  • JT’s position as an accredited supplier providing the highest levels of security for its Data Centre and Managed Service customers, was further strengthened by receiving ISO/IEC 27001:2013.

2018

  • Jersey becomes the world’s first full-fibre jurisdiction, so every residential and business broadband customer is thus directly connected to JT’s fibre network which offers unrivalled internet upload and download speeds.
  • JT wins major national award for ground-breaking full-fibre network at the Connected Britain Awards.
  • JT begin the removal of its old copper network across Jersey to pave the way for a full-fibre future.
  • JT are finalists in two categories of this year’s UK Customer Experience Awards, the biggest ‘CX’ event of its kind in the world.
  • JT works with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation and Sony Europe Limited to consequently create the Island’s second ‘LPWA’ network – a Low-Power, Wide-Area Network.

2019

  •  CICRA grants JT a licence to launch 5G test sites in both Jersey and Guernsey.
  • Jersey’s full-fibre network wins ‘Best Network Transformation Initiative’ and was shortlisted for the ‘Broadband Pioneer’ award at the 21st annual World Communication Awards.
  • JT’s free My Account customer app, the only one of its kind in the Channel Islands, wins the silver award in the Best App category at the UK Digital Experience Awards 2019 (UKDXA).
  • JT was the Channel Island’s first large-scale commercial organisation to become a Living Wage Employer.
  • The Forum for Telecom Operators of Small States (Teleforum) elects JT’s Chief Executive, Graeme Millar, as its chairman.
  • JT ’s full-fibre network is shortlisted in the ‘Biggest Broadband Social Impact’ category at the prestigious Broadband World Forum Awards.
  • The JT Navigate solution wins the ‘Best Messaging API Award’ at the Messaging and SMS World 2019 Awards.
  • JT was selected as a prime partner of Agilisys to help deliver an ambitious 10-year programme to transform Guernsey’s digital services.

2020

  • JT partners with ITC Secure (ITC), a managed security service provider (MSSP) and specialist cyber advisory firm, to bring world-class managed security services to the Channel Islands for the first time.
  • In January 2020, JT worked with the Government of Jersey, Digital Jersey, and the Island’s other telecom operators to increase all fibre broadband connections to a symmetrical 1 Gbit/s at no extra cost. This joint initiative supported the community when an increase in home-working, home-learning and home-isolating became the new norm during COVID-19.
  • In March 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, JT introduced a number of free measures to support islanders including; Increasing speeds, free local fixed landline calls, suspending overage charges and pausing late payment fee for all customers. Plus providing 6-months free broadband for our vulnerable customers and ensuring disadvantaged children were provided with free connectivity for home schooling.
  • Hélène Narcy is appointed as JT’s Chief Financial Officer, taking a position on the Group Board and the Executive Committee.
  • JT helped to raise over £26,000 for Macmillan Jersey through their Get Together for Good campaign.
  • JT became platinum partners of Mitel the highest level of accreditation from the global market leader in enterprise communications.
  • Mark Shuttleworth is appointed as Non-Executive Directors of JT.
  • JT wins silver at the UK Customer Experience Awards, silver and bronze awards at the UK Digital Experience Awards and was short-listed in the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) category at the Connected Britain Awards.
  • JT expanded its intelligent engineering and home automation service offering by acquiring Jersey-based company, Zero1.

2021

  • Angus Flett is appointed as Non-Executive Directors of JT.
  • Free Coronavirus Helpline set-up by JT in partnership with the Government of Jersey.
  • In March 2021 JT launched our 10-year sustainability strategy .
  • JT signed up to the I WILL programme, supporting the Government of Jersey’s plans to expand the range of skills for those holding senior positions within the government, and appointed Alison Rogers to the JT Board as an apprentice.
  • In June 2021, JT sold a majority stake in its Internet of Things (IoT) division to the family backed private equity investor Perwyn. The new business remains headquartered in Jersey.
  • In July 2021 JT’s customer care during covid was recognised nationally, reaching the finals in four separate categories at the leading UK Customer Experience Awards.
  • JT signed up to the Institute of Directors (IoD) Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Charter building upon its Sustainability and D&I Strategies and championing best working practices.
  • In August 2021 JT was shortlisted for two Connected Britain Awards – the Sustainability Award, and the Community Improvement Award.
  • JT signs up to Durrell’s Rewild Carbon scheme taking a different approach to the more traditional carbon off-set projects by increasing the benefits to both investors and benefactors.
  • JT wins Gold and Silver awards at the International Digital Experience Awards, facing tough competition from global business giants.
  • JT achieves double win at the IoD awards. Phil Male – winner of Non-executive Director of the Year and Tom Noel – winner of the Director of the Year – Sustainability.
  • Jersey’s full-fibre broadband network ranked best in the world and listed at the very top of the World Broadband Speed League for 2021 by comparison site, cable.co.uk.
  • JT wins Silver in ‘The Best Use of Insight and Feedback – Customers Voice’, at the National Customer Experience Awards.
  • JT teamed up with Arkwright Engineering the UK’s leading engineering scholarship programme to encourage young people to gain a head start with their careers in engineering and technology.

2022