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Coffee and business brains brew over a successful partnership

JT has been at the heart of Santander International’s successful move to Charing Cross providing its world class Wi-Fi for the bank’s new work café.

The bank has been converting the former Thomas Cook travel agents into a fully connected work and meeting venue with the help of JT’s ultra-fast Wi-Fi services. The free-to-use meeting rooms and workspaces are centred around a specialist coffee shop and the venture shows the continued confidence both JT and Santander International have in the high street.

The work café will include JT’s Managed Wi-Fi service which ensures businesses and their customers have access to reliable and secure high-performance Wi-Fi at all times.

The aim is to create a relaxed centrally located space for businesses and entrepreneurs to meet, but it will be open to all and comes at a time when many banks are closing branches rather than opening new ones.

Katie Corbett, Director of Enterprise & Business Services, said: “We have been delighted to work with Santander International on this exciting project that will not just provide a new space for businesses to meet, but also give members of the public free access to our world class fibre network. JT Managed Wi-Fi gives guest users instant and dependable access to the internet over a secure network and will provide anyone using the Santander Work Café a welcome space in which to work for a few hours when away from the office or as an alternative to working from home. Businesses can also have confidence knowing they will be working over a fully managed network that has Enterprise-class security.”

Santander has over 80 work cafés in nine countries around the world, including Spain, Portugal, Chile, Brazil and Argentina, and has opened its doors to its latest in St Helier in January 2021.

James Pountney, Chief Executive Officer of Santander International, said: “After opening the first UK Work Café in Leeds in 2019, we were excited to bring the concept to Jersey. The difficulties caused by COVID-19 have meant businesses are reducing the number of people in their offices and we are confident providing a relaxing but also secure environment to work in will suit many of those who have asked their teams to work from home. We’ve been impressed with how easy it has been to work with JT in this partnership, knowing we could rely on them to provide the services we needed to meet the expectations of our customers. Working with a telecoms operator that boasts the second fastest speeds in the world is exactly what we needed.”



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Double success for JT’s enterprise and business services team

JT has been recognised by one of the world’s leading technology companies for the innovative way in which they delivered business to their customers in 2020.

The Tech Data Aces Momentum Awards are given to companies that show a desire to use and grow the technology developed by Cisco. Run by technology giant Tech Data, the programme is designed to help Cisco partners take their business forward as they support their customers’ requirements,  applying sophisticated Cisco Technology to a constantly changing business landscape.

JT, a Cisco Premier partner, was recognised as the ‘Enterprise Networking Partner of the Year’ and achieved the highest accolade of ‘Overall Partner of the Year’, based on partner engagement, strategy for growth and customer adoption in a year that required ingenuity and innovation.

In each category, four out of the 25 top partners in the ACES programme were shortlisted by the technology giant Tech Data, with JT selected as the overall winner.

Katie Corbett, Director of CI Enterprise and Business Services at JT Group, said: “This is a huge achievement by our very dedicated team who have developed and grown this side of the business for JT. We have enjoyed working closely with Tech Data and Cisco, especially in a year where the technologies they produce have been so vital to keeping our communities and economies going. We were really focused on delivering these services and technologies to our customers and the results have been far greater than we had anticipated.”

Graeme Lee, Business Development Manager for Cisco at Tech Data, said: “(JT) have driven change for their customers by encouraging the adoption of leading-edge technologies and looking for new ways to apply and adapt the very latest solutions to positive effect. This hugely impressive performance, alongside their focused approach made JT the exceptional candidate and the deserved winner of the Tech Data ACES Partner of the Year award.”

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products, services and solutions.

For more than 40 years, Tech Data has provided the logistics capabilities and value-added services that enable resellers to efficiently and cost-effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users in more than 100 countries.

Tech Data connects the world with the power of technology. With an end-to-end portfolio of products, services and solutions, highly specialised skills, and expertise in next-generation technologies enables Tech Data partners bring to market the products and solutions the world needs to connect, grow and advance.



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Wi-Fi performance taken to the next level with new JT Plume® partnership

JT has teamed up with one of the leading names in Smart Home services; Plume, to provide Channel Islanders next generation Wi-Fi and new levels of control over the connectivity within their homes.

Hyperfast connectivity to the door isn’t enough anymore, customers want reliable and robust Wi-Fi, online support and a range of Smart Home services which is why we’ve worked with Plume to launch JT Total Wi-Fi.

JT already delivers speeds of up to 1Gbps direct to every property with a broadband connection, this new solution unleashes the full potential of Wi-Fi coverage within those properties. By being cloud-based, Plume’s technology uses artificial intelligence to constantly optimise and improve the overall Wi-Fi experience in the home —which is increasingly important as the number of smart devices in any typical home grows.

Daragh McDermott, Managing Director JT Channel Islands, said: “Our primary focus over the past decade has been to roll out a full fibre to the home network island wide in Jersey. Now completed, the JT network is today recognised as one of the fastest in the world, delivering guaranteed speeds to customers doors.

Our aim now is to provide leading-edge solutions to help customers maximise the potential of the network and the quality of their experience within the home itself. Our purchase of Zero1 was part of that long-term strategy, with the next step being the launch of our partnership with the world recognised leader in home Wi-Fi coverage: Plume’’.

Wi-Fi inside the home is a far more complex technology than most people realise. Performance issues aren’t always straightforward to diagnose due to the way Wi-Fi signals move internally; everything from building materials like steel, granite, insulation to domestic appliances and electronics can block and disrupt Wi-Fi signals in a user’s home. This new JT Total Wi-Fi product will help overcome those barriers ensuring Wi-Fi is evenly and seamlessly distributed throughout the home, as well as providing a raft of features like diagnostics reports, checks, parental protection and control.

Our customer trials have highlighted the reality and practicality of shared spaces — particularly for those who work from home and will continue to do so partially or exclusively moving forward. ‘’User feedback has been really positive’’ said Daragh ‘’For the past few months we’ve been working with customers and our own people to test the product, using a range of large and small homes that had many to a few occupants and varied in the quantity of equipment within. The results have shown consistent internet speeds delivered throughout the home, providing the robust framework required to enable homes to integrate real and virtual activities without Wi-Fi ‘black spots’. Triallists were especially impressed with how simple it was to set-up and manage.

Tyson Marian, Chief Commercial Officer at Plume, said: “In JT, we found a partner that shares our aim of providing best-in-class connectivity with rich, smart home services and user experiences. It’s not only that JT’s full-fibre network provides some of the best results anywhere, but it’s also that they’ll ensure that service is delivered consistently. With the combination of our technologies, experience, and desire to get the best out of networks, JT and Plume will be hard to beat.”



JT shortlisted for Connected Britain Award
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JT shortlisted for Connected Britain Award

JT has been shortlisted in the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) category in this year’s Connected Britain Awards.

It has joined the likes of Sky, Cisco and Westminster City Council on the list of finalists at the prestigious telecoms industry awards, with the winners to be announced – virtually – between the 23rd and 25th September.

Supported by more than 600 roaming agreements across the world, JT can offer multiple network access through a single SIM card, which provides robust, secure and ‘always on’ connectivity.

JT’s award entry focussed on the Nomad IoT Management Platform, which allows our customers to reduce their operating costs by enabling them to monitor and control large numbers of SIMs quickly and efficiently.

A ‘rich’ set of features – such as device location, geofencing and data consumption monitoring – can be accessed via API or UI to orchestrate provisioning, billing and support across multiple operators through a single interface.

In 2020 JT launched its first ‘embedded-SIM’ (eSIM) proposition. eSIM allows customers to easily change their network providers ‘over the air,’ eliminating the ‘lock-in’ effects of traditional SIMs.

Barna Kutvolgyi, MD of JT International, commented: “The Internet of Things is now a truly global phenomenon, with applications across the healthcare, mobility, automotive and infrastructure sectors, all of which are now supported by JT’s solutions.

“We have built an excellent reputation as a global supplier of connectivity, building on our large portfolio of roaming and wholesale agreements which the JT team developed as a way of keeping travellers and any devices connected around the world.

“I’m delighted that the hard work and success of JT’s team has been recognised with this short-listing by such a prestigious scheme as Connected Britain.”



Katie Corbett JT - Mitel Platinum status
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JT meets Mitel’s Platinum Partner status

JT has further strengthened its reputation as a leading telecoms company after receiving the highest level of accreditation from global market leader in enterprise communications, Mitel.

After achieving Gold last year, JT has now been awarded Mitel Platinum Partner status which recognises companies that have achieved the highest standard of sales and technical accreditation in Mitel’s products and solutions. This accolade has only been afforded to a select few, and JT is the only Platinum Partner in the Channel Islands.

Katie Corbett, Director of CI Enterprise and Business Services at JT, said: “We are so pleased that all the hard work and commitment shown by our team, especially over the last few months, has been recognised as we continue to provide a high level of service for our customers. That means making sure we meet the exacting standards set by global businesses like Mitel and to have been recognised for going beyond the point we achieved last year is extremely satisfying.

“With Platinum Partner status, we will continue to offer an enhanced service to our business customers here in the Channel Islands and around the world.”

Mitel is a leading provider of business communications solutions for a range of organisations – from the small, single site offices to the multi-site, large enterprises. They offer customers a wide array of solutions, from simple business communications to sophisticated unified and collaborative communications, whether on-site or in the cloud.

Nigel Tyler, Head of Channel UKI at Mitel, said: “Over the past months, we worked very closely with JT to grow our partnership, with JT showing continued commitment to our range of communications and collaboration solutions and services. They clearly met the criteria and, just over a year after awarding JT the Gold level, we are now delighted to promote the team to the highest status of our partner programme’.



Balcony Gigs to return this summer
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Music to our ears as Balcony Gigs to return this summer

Having been cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19, the highly anticipated Cobo Bay annual music festival, synonymous with summertime in Guernsey, will go ahead in August and September. The popular series of family-friendly, live outdoor music events, sponsored by JT, will resume with a fantastic line-up of local acts.

The return of the Balcony Gigs will be a welcomed celebration for islanders and a symbol of life returning to normal, having gone through such unprecedented times. This year, the free events will feature only local bands, highlighting the variety of talent we have right here on our doorstep. The festival’s programme has been built with the spirit of the ‘Guernsey together’ theme, which encourages islanders to celebrate together and support each other. The series kicks off on Sunday 2 August with The Big Band followed by four more events until 27 September.

David Nussbaumer, who organises the events for Cobo Bay Hotel, said: “Having gone through such challenging times, it’s fantastic we can come together and celebrate, we have a reason to party. We are thrilled to be able to put on the Balcony Gigs this year, working with our long-term partner JT to bring islanders of all ages together. It would have been really disappointing if the Balcony Gigs couldn’t have gone ahead when it’s such a big event in the island’s calendar year. Through our partnership with JT, we have been providing memorable community events that don’t involve travel or a ticket cost and we promise 2020 will bring a special close to the summer with a great atmosphere of local music, sun and fun for all the family.”

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “For almost a decade now we’ve been partnering with Cobo Bay Hotel. It just wouldn’t be summer without Guernsey’s famous balcony gigs and we’re delighted the event series is able to go ahead. Bringing islanders together to enjoy the summer with free music and celebrate the place we call home, is what this is all about. This year, we will be celebrating everything that the Guernsey music scene has to offer with a local line-up of home-grown talent. Islanders have shown such resilience and a real sense of community throughout the pandemic, which is a cause for celebration as we ‘build back better’. This year’s event series will be one to remember.”

For those that are unable to attend, JT will be streaming highlights of the events on Facebook so islanders can enjoy the music from wherever they are. As always, given the beautiful location that these events take place in, and how lucky we are to benefit from them, we ask everyone attending to collect and take home their rubbish and leave Cobo Bay litter free.”

View the music line-up >>



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JT Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

With more than 25 years’ experience working in senior finance roles, Hélène Narcy has been appointed as JT’s Chief Financial Officer, taking a position on the Group Board and the Executive Committee.

Hélène, who started her career in telecommunications, before working for some of the world’s leading financial institutions, takes over from John Kent who is retiring, after serving in the role since 2012.

She joined JT in July 2019 after ten years working for UBS in Jersey and the US, returning to the island after two years in New York. Hélène has also lived and/or worked in France, China and the UAE, in senior management roles and leading financial transformation projects.

Hélène graduated from the prestigious Grande Ecole ESCP, and holds the French accounting Diploma.

She commented: “Leading the finances of a company with JT’s strong global reputation is a challenge I am really looking forward to, and I have been really impressed with the quality and dedication of the whole team at JT.

“Telecommunications is a fast-moving, dynamic sector and providing innovative products and services is so important to all islanders. It is great to be working in this industry again, and to be able to add value to JT’s operations in the Channel Islands, and across the world.”

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hélène to JT. Her knowledge, skills and experience will really help us to take the business forward, applying the most exacting international financial standards.

“I would also like to thank John Kent, whose vast experience and strategic thinking has played a significant part in the success of the JT story for nearly a decade.

“JT’s purpose is to enable our customers’ connected lives, and Hélène will help us to achieve that throughout challenging times for individuals and businesses, and to play our part in facilitating the Channel Islands’ recovery.”

For more information please click here.



JT Progress Report 2020
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JT publishes 2019/20 Progress Report

St. Helier, Jersey: the JT Group has released its annual update report detailing progress over the last 12 months, as it continues to support its local communities through the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the last eight weeks JT has doubled the minimum broadband speeds (from 500 Mb/s to 1Gb/s) for all fibre customers at no cost, to help them work, and stay connected at home, as well as extending that network to more of those islanders who previously only relied on a landline.

Overall, the Report details a stable financial performance over the last 12 months, with revenue, profits and dividends to JT’s owner, the Government of Jersey, remaining broadly on a par with previous years.

The 2019/20 Progress Report mainly focusses on the last full calendar year before the pandemic changed the way many people across the world are living their lives, and JT has a formal requirement to publish it at this time every year. The Group’s CEO & Chairman, Graeme Millar & Phil Male, have also written a special introduction to the document which sets out how JT has responded to this time of national emergency.

JT Chairman, Phil Male, commented: “We know that our customers and stakeholders have more on their minds at the moment than JT’s performance, however we hope they will find this review of the last twelve months interesting and informative.

“Clearly it mainly focusses on the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, which was another strong one for the Group, as we continued to invest heavily in Channel Island networks. This investment has stood islanders in good stead now so many of us are working from home, and using technology to interact with family, friends and colleagues.

“2019 was also a year when we upped our investment in emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, Cyber security and 5G. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the team at JT for their continued hard work and commitment, not least in recent weeks when despite the worrying global health situation, they have worked tirelessly to ensure islanders can stay connected.”

CEO Graeme Millar added: “I’m proud of the way JT has played its part in recent weeks to help its communities deal with the disruption posed by Covid-19. It has been a tough, worrying and uncertain time for many of our customers which is likely to continue for a while yet.

“Our teams and networks have responded very well indeed to the challenge. We have also done what we can to financially support our customers who may be finding it tough, such as by suspending all charges for late payments, or going over broadband usage limits, offering better terms to suppliers and providing local landline calls for free. Throughout this period JT will be calmly focussed on its core role: to make sure the islands, our people, and our businesses, stay connected.”

You can read JT’s Progress Report 2019/20 and Financial Statements by clicking here.



Mac Millan Cancer Support
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Communications boost for local cancer charity, with JT partnership

JT’s 600 plus people have always played a key role when it comes to choosing which charities will benefit from their annual fundraising and volunteering activities.  Having people with an active interest in their communities means they have strong connections to organisations that make a real difference.

This year, across the seven global locations where JT have an office, people unanimously decided in their annual ballot that charities which support people living with cancer and their families would be the focus of their giving and support in 2020.   The Jersey office has chosen Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, who offer support to anyone affected by cancer in the island, and their team in Guernsey will partner with Guernsey Cancer support.

Lauren Perchard-Rees, Macmillan Jersey’s Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be partnering with JT, a team that is clearly passionate about being part of what we do. With their digital expertise and telecoms infrastructure, we are hoping to take our fundraising to a new level, using automated donations and planning ‘drop-in’ sessions in JT’s Queen Street store.   Over half of those that use Macmillan Jersey’s services are friends and family of people who have been diagnosed. Together with JT, we will be helping keep families connected to their loved ones while being away from home for treatment and care.”

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Customer Experience said: “With nearly 2,000 cancer diagnoses a year in the Channel Islands, the chances are we all know someone, likely more than one person, who has been affected in some way by this disease.

“For this reason alone, we are all fully committed to supporting Macmillan Jersey and Guernsey Cancer Support as they care for our loved ones. It’s important to us that we get involved with causes that are dedicated to helping others because without additional support, many services would not be so readily available.”

Helping local charities and initiatives is embedded into JT’s culture; it’s a great way to bring people together and give back to the places we call home. We will be working with Macmillan Jersey and Guernsey Cancer Support to make the best use of our expertise to help develop their digital patient services and make a positive impact where it is most needed.

Over the past 12 months, JT teams have raised over £21,000 for charities around the world also supporting our Australian colleagues in the aftermath of the recent devastating bush fires.

Check our latest JT Presents video featuring Macmillan Cancer Support > 



Daragh McDermott, Corporate Affairs Director at JT
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Broadband speeds to double to a minimum of 500 Mbit/s for all broadband subscribers

Being recognised during 2019 as the first jurisdiction in the world to make full-fibre available to every broadband user and being listed as the third fastest country/territory in the world in terms of broadband speeds was a huge milestone for JT and Jersey.[1]

The next stage in the JT published roadmap is to further increase the minimum speeds available to all subscribers. We are therefore pleased to announce that the JT network will be using its full-fibre network to deliver an increase to minimum broadband speeds from 250 Mbit/s to 500 Mbit/s for all subscribers.

Our engineers will be starting this work on Monday 13th January 2020 and then steadily introduce the increased speeds for all users over the course of that week.

Daragh McDermott, Corporate Affairs Director at JT commented: “Since we commenced our programme of installing full-fibre to replace all copper connections in Jersey, we have committed to a path of increasing the speeds delivered across that network. This is the next step in that process and will be welcomed by customers to match their growing demand for enabling their connected lives.”

Senator Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture and Deputy Chief Minister said “This is good news and reflects well on Jersey as we enter a new decade very much on the front foot in this sector. We have invested in a unique asset on the island, which places us well ahead of most places in the world for high speed connectivity. It is therefore pleasing to see JT pressing ahead with its plans to maximise usage of this important fibre infrastructure asset.”

[1] https://www.cable.co.uk/broadband/speed/worldwide-speed-league/