JT connects with Guernsey Charities

Recently, more than 50 Guernsey charities gathered at the Swallow Pavilion at La Vallette to mark the first anniversary of JT Community Giving, established by the technology company a year ago to support local projects and initiatives.

This was an opportunity for the charities to learn more about JT Community Giving and how to apply for funding, digital devices, subscriptions, technical support, or hands-on assistance from some of JT’s many volunteers.

It was a unique gathering of the exceptional people who selflessly give their time to others – an opportunity for them to share not only the ways they’ve benefited from JT Community Giving donations but also their personal stories. This special event served as a platform for making friends and establishing new partnerships, creating an even stronger and supportive community network.

Aaron Davies, Childrens Service Manager from Action for Children explained: ‘‘We successfully applied to the JT Community Giving scheme and got approval for mobile phones to help young islanders facing homelessness. This allows them to keep in touch with us and other community services they might need. The application was straightforward, and the donation makes a big difference to our team and the young people, who can now be reached at any time and can reach out for help whenever they need it.’’

There were five JT team members on hand at the event to explain the application process and give examples of donations and support that some of the 120 charities across the Channel Islands have benefitted from since the scheme began a year ago, attracting over a dozen new requests solely from this event.

Kat Gillespie from King George V (KGV) playing fields and Community Centre added: ‘‘We went to the JT Community Giving event to see what kind of support we could get, like many other charities, we struggle with raising awareness and funds. The event was great because we met many others facing the same challenges. The JT team were very helpful and friendly, and we were surprised to learn how straightforward the application process was. Now that we know, we’ve filled out our first application, asking for a raffle prize for our big Euros prize draw.’’

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets at JT Group said: ‘’As a local business it’s always been important to us that we give back to our community. It was a real pleasure for me to meet the people behind these charities and hear firsthand about the amazing work they do. These groups serve as the bedrock for a strong support network across our island, offering essential support to families who would be lost without them. The continued success of our scheme is a testament to the collective strength found in these grassroots initiatives, and by continuing to support these vital organisations, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our fellow islanders. Together, we contribute to the overall well-being of our community, promoting inclusivity and interconnection for all.”



Celebrating Careers Week and International Women’s Day

To round off Careers Week, which coincides with International Women’s Day, we’re shining the spotlight on some of the incredible working mothers here at JT who have been able to shape their careers around their family lives.

Account Executive Team Leader Maria has been with JT for sixteen years and throughout her time with the company, she has been able to adopt flexible working hours to co-term with becoming and being a mum to two children.

Maria started full-time but reduced her hours to four days a week when she became a mum, and subsequently changed to part-time hours spread out over four days. When her children started school, Maria also had the opportunity to change her hours to finish in time for school pick-up

Now her children are older, Maria has recently returned to full-time hours but flexes her hours to spend time with them after school, making up her hours on other days.

Maria’s flexible arrangement allows her to do administration work during non-core working hours, meaning she’s ready for meetings and urgent requests during the week.

“I feel so privileged with the amount of flexibility and trust I’m given. I know and fully appreciate how lucky I am, and it makes my week flow for me and my children.”

Revenue Assurance Manager Kathryn has also found JT’s flexible working policy to be invaluable as a working parent.

“Working four days a week when my children were small gave us a whole day together to do as we pleased, breaking up my working week nicely – something I am really grateful for.”

Now that her children are at school, Kathryn can use that time for life admin and self-care, so that she can be more available to spend time with her children when they’re not at school and less stressed when she’s at work.

Here at JT, we believe that great people do their best work in an environment that supports them – and we know that can look different for each person.

Our flexible working policy allows our people to shape their careers to suit them, supporting them to be their best at both work and home.

If you’re looking to return to work after a career break of more than 18 months, we can help ease the process with our Return to Work Workshop taking place in July – register your interest here: https://careers.jtglobal.com/postings/f7656e31-83b3-491c-aef3-b2f2ff00d71c



JT strengthens its fraud prevention expertise with Spectrum acquisition

JT has expanded its Mobile Intelligence offerings by acquiring Spectrum Message Services, an Australian-based company. Spectrum specialises in combining mobile communications platforms with anti-fraud and payment systems and has global partnerships with top-tier transactional software and service solution providers.

Spectrum’s flagship product, MoneyGuard, is a mobile alert system that’s used to process transactions for more than 120 million consumers worldwide using cards, accounts and other electronic payment forms. It’s been designed to help financial institutions fight fraud by alerting and communicating with customers through SMS, mobile apps, email and voice.

JT plans to seamlessly integrate MoneyGuard into its existing portfolio, enhancing its ability to protect customers from financial fraud and identity theft.

Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group, commented: “JT Group’s vision is to connect our customers, and this strategic acquisition perfectly aligns with our commitment to using data-driven solutions to combat financial fraud. MoneyGuard’s innovative features complement our existing Mobile Intelligence portfolio, bolstering our ability to provide effective communication channels in the dynamic world of financial transactions.”

Gerard Vos, Managing Director of Spectrum, added: “This marks an exciting chapter for MoneyGuard. Our shared vision for combining mobile alert systems with mobile intelligence aligns perfectly, and we look forward to contributing to its further growth by adding our expertise to JT’s initiatives in combating fraud whilst improving the overall customer experience.”

With the addition of MoneyGuard to its product portfolio, JT has solidified its position as a leader in Mobile Intelligence, combining expertise and solutions to create a more secure digital future.

For more information on Spectrum MoneyGuard click here >



Silver award for JT’s diverse and inclusive culture

JT’s continuous focus on being a great place to work has been recognised as it moves up a level in a national awards scheme that measures progress on diversity and inclusion. The company is among 43 organisations that have received a TIDE Silver award, with other winners including BAE Systems, Engineering and Glasgow City Council.

In 2022, the telecommunications company achieved bronze and its latest Silver TIDE (Talent Inclusion and Diversity Evaluation) rating from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion saw JT’s score improve from 61% in 2022 to 74% in 2023, putting it in 34th place out of 171 organisations.

Sarah Gosiewska, JT Head of Talent, said: “For us, diversity and inclusion means acknowledging and appreciating perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, creating a working environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued for who they are. This highlights the continuous effort we put into life at JT.

TIDE awards are given to employers that rank highest on a benchmarking system that measures progress and commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. JT was also ranked in first place in its region for recruitment after investing in anti-bias software and introducing enhanced diversity reporting. The local telco was also recognised for increasing its diversity among senior management positions.

Laura Belo, Head of HR at JT, added: “The TIDE process ensures that we strive for continuous progress against recognised targets. It’s also about tuning our work culture into what our people want and need, recognising and rewarding their talents, and creating an organisation where everyone feels not only valued but empowered. The average length of time people stay with JT is nearly ten years, a testament to people of all ages working side by side, from 18 to 67. With our long-term goals of working towards continual improvement, we hope that our score will continue to reflect the genuine efforts that the whole team is making.”



JT and RoamsysNext collaborate on Game-Changing IoT Solution for Network Optimisation

In response to the explosive growth of IoT devices and the projection that their number will double to 27 billion by 2025, Jersey Telecom (JT Group) has worked with development partner RoamsysNext to introduce JT’s IoT Certification Manager (ICM). This innovative solution addresses the pressing challenge faced by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and enterprise partners, who are struggling with network congestion and performance issues due to uncertified IoT devices.

Network congestion occurs when there’s an overload of signalling and data traffic that exceeds the network’s capacity to manage. To tackle these issues, operators have at times resorted to blocking devices based on International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and traffic patterns, which can lead to an imperfect solution.

ICM effectively reduces the network issues that stem from IoT devices, ensuring improved service quality for customers and businesses. It provides valuable insights and analytics, allowing operators to identify and if required take necessary actions against uncertified or unfamiliar devices that may disrupt network performance or pose security risks, safeguarding the customer experience.

Going beyond optimising network performance, ICM enhances cybersecurity, ensuring that only trusted and secure devices connect to the network. This solution also enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to guarantee that their devices function as originally intended on networks.

Underpinned by a comprehensive dataset, this system facilitates the alignment of the Type Allocation Code (TAC) with certification data to uniquely identify each IoT device. It offers a user-friendly interface equipped with features such as a search tool, bulk entry, data export, and device verification against the manufacturer’s records.

Marcus Irwin, Head of Product Innovation at JT, said; “As an MNO, we’re well aware of the challenges posed by the existing and growing number of IoT devices. With ICM, we’re offering operators worldwide a groundbreaking solution that not only optimises network performance but also strengthens cybersecurity. It’s the game-changer we all need to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.”

He added, “What truly sets ICM apart is its remarkable ability to consolidate multiple data sources into a single interface. This allows operators, resellers, aggregators, enterprises, and manufacturers to easily identify IoT devices on their network, verify their global certifications, and make well-informed decisions based on high-quality intelligence.

Michael Grasmück, CEO of RoamsysNext, said; “Our commitment to data enrichment and consolidation is unparalleled. ICM is the answer to the industry’s need for a comprehensive, single-source solution that enables operators to address network congestion and improve services for their customers and businesses.

JT’s IoT Certification Management is available to mobile network operators, MVNOs, enterprise businesses, and OEMs through a yearly subscription. For more information click here.



JT support Guernsey Down Syndrome Group as part of their Community Giving Scheme

Guernsey Down Syndrome Group is the latest worthy cause to have benefitted from JT’s Community Giving scheme. JT’s donation has been instrumental in funding the visit of a much-needed specialist to the island, a service vital for monitoring progress and advising educators and carers.

The local group supports 14 families which includes a range of people with Down syndrome, of varying ages and abilities. The group became a registered charity in 2018, focusing on providing crucial support, sharing valuable experiences, and offering information to families, carers, and teachers through family get-togethers, fundraising events, specialist speakers, and training.

All money raised by the charity goes towards the education of the children and supporting their families.

Helen O Hara, the charity’s treasurer explains: ‘Twice a year, a specialist from the UK in child development and education visits the island. We cover all fees, travel, and accommodation expenses. She is brilliant, her expertise is invaluable, helping us to enhance the education and developmental support we offer families. Our long-term goal is to secure a full-time specialist here in Guernsey. This would provide families with immediate access to essential support and guidance, significantly improving the early life experiences and opportunities for our children.’’

JT’s Community Giving scheme supports a wide range of demographics, from schools to the elderly, sports enthusiasts, community groups and more. In Guernsey, the scheme helped 37 organisations in 2023 each representing a diverse range of needs, yet all providing essential community services, and 124 charities and not for profit groups benefitted in total from the scheme across the Channel Islands last year.

Kate Marshall, JT’s Head of Guernsey Enterprise, elaborated: “Learning about the difference our donation has made to the families with Down syndrome in Guernsey deeply touched us. It reflects our commitment to supporting every community sector, no matter how small. These are the groups that, although often overlooked, need our support the most. We’re genuinely committed to being an integral part of the community’s support network, where we can, addressing diverse needs ranging from the youth and elderly to sports clubs and educational projects.”

Helen added, ‘’I want to say a massive thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Usually, we have to start thinking about the different ways we can bring in more money, but this donation has meant we don’t have to worry.’’

Applications for this year’s JT Community Giving Scheme are now open, with reviews taking place every three months. It’s an open call to not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community groups across the Channel Islands to join JT’s journey of community enhancement and support.



Young people forge global connections at the world’s largest digital Scouting event

Local Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers are now bridging borders and connecting with their peers worldwide, thanks to a generous donation of refurbished laptops from JT Community Giving.

The annual international Jamboree-On-The Internet (JOTI), held alongside the Jamboree-On-The-Air, not only challenges but encourages members of Jersey’s Scout movement to make online connections with young people all over the world either through the internet or over shortwave radio.

The 10th Jersey Scout Group applied to JT Community Giving to replace their aging desktop computers. Their outdated devices were no longer fit for purpose, limiting activities for the group. Although new to the group, these laptops have been refurbished as part of JT’s commitment to repurposing equipment, they will not only facilitate participation in international events but also in engaging educational activities as part of the broader scouting program.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Commercial Market at JT, said: “JT Community Giving, launched just a year ago, is delighted to be able to help so many charities and organisations benefit from practical assistance. In this case, the Scouts received refurbished equipment, aiding them in running their program of activities and events. Scouting provides a safe and fun environment that challenges and develops young people from all backgrounds. It’s fantastic that we can support them in connecting with scouts worldwide and sharing their interests using the power of the internet. It’s truly amazing how technology can bridge cultures and generations.”

During the weekend of activities held in November, scouts contacted young people as far away as South Korea and Indonesia, using the 10 reconditioned laptops, they will also be used throughout the year to help young people work towards their Digital Citizen activity badge.

Glen Militis, Island Lead Volunteer and Acting Group Scout Leader 10th Jersey Scout Group added: “Scouting is all about preparing young people for life and having good digital skills is essential in today’s world. We help the young people who make up our Beaver, Cubs and Scout sections learn about how digital technology works and how it can enhance their lives. The laptops from JT are a massive boost to how we deliver that programme. Thanks to JT’s Community Giving Scheme, we now have up to date IT equipment that will serve us well for years to come, an essential element in delivering our scouting program.”



Unlocking connectivity’s potential

Like many others, JT has adapted to the changing tech landscape by making technology more accessible. We’re using our expertise to develop and provide new digital services, expanding our offerings beyond traditional telecommunications services. This diversification of services is driven not only by our need to stay competitive but also a genuine desire to meet the evolving demands of consumers and businesses. In today’s world, connectivity alone is no longer enough, which is why JT has become a one-stop-shop for all communication and technology needs.



JT Community Giving helps over 120 local charities in its first year

JT Community Giving has been received by the community in an overwhelmingly positive manner. The level of support we’ve received in its inaugural year has far exceeded our expectations. Reflecting on the year, we not only acknowledge the importance of small groups but celebrate them wholeheartedly — they are the genuine heartbeat of our community. What truly matters to us is your focus. We firmly believe that every member of our team has the opportunity and responsibility to build lasting relationships founded on trust, our commitment to fulfilling promises, and the enhanced value our solutions bring to you.

 



JT Welcomes eSIM Technology: Convenience, Safety and Sustainability

From 16th November, all JT customers across the Channel Islands with supported smart phones and tablets can benefit from eSIM technology.

If you’ve got a mobile phone, you’ll already be familiar with the small SIM card that connects your device to a mobile provider, allowing you to make and receive calls and texts and use data on your phone.

Today more and more smart phones use a digital version called an eSIM instead of the physical card to connect to your mobile plan. Unlike a regular SIM card, once downloaded via a QR code, the technology is securely embedded into your phone, where it has the potential to make things much simpler, safer and convenient for smartphone users.

Tom Noel, Chief Product Officer at JT, said: “eSIMs offer a hassle-free mobile experience. They are perfect for those juggling work and personal numbers on one device, for anyone that wants to add international networks when roaming, or for people who simply don’t want to install a physical SIM card.

eSIMs aren’t just about convenience – they’re a safety upgrade too.

“Safety is crucial to us’’, added Tom, ‘’Our eSIM services have robust security features, making smartphones much more secure against fraud, especially SIM Swap, because you are virtually connected to the network. With no physical SIM, it’s harder for cybercriminals to acquire another SIM card and re-register the number in their name.

“What’s also great about eSIMs is that by eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, they reduce electronic waste and align to our commitment to environmental goals, making our customer’s mobile experience both secure and eco-friendly, something we know they rate highly.’’