JT engineers with old phones
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Charity receives old school phone system thanks to JT Engineers

The phone system that for years dealt with calls at the old Les Quennevais School has been given a new lease of life after being donated to a local charity.

The Beresford Street Kitchen needed to upgrade its phone system to one that was able to handle multiple calls but had been putting it off due to cost until two regular customers made a welcome suggestion.

JT engineers Peter Vasse and Vinnie Harkin, who often take their lunchbreaks at the popular café in town, were asked to look at the aging phone system. Knowing there was one at the old Les Quennevais School that was no longer needed, they asked the school whether it could be given to the charity to cover its needs instead.

Alexander Richardson, Business and Facilities Manager of Les Quennevais School, said: “Peter knew the old system backwards. He had helped install it and worked with us at the school to keep it working properly. We like to maintain continuity in our relationships with outside companies and when Peter and Vinnie moved with us to the new school and started installing the new system, Peter had the lightbulb moment. We are really pleased we were able to help out and we had no idea that it could be put to such good use. The old phone system was perfect for what the charity needed, and we were happy to support his great idea to donate it to Beresford Street Kitchen and further strengthens the school’s links with JT who we were able to collaborate with to help this charity.”

Gabby Ellmers, Managing Director of Beresford Street Kitchen, commented: “We have always enjoyed having Peter and Vinnie as customers and it was so typical of them to come up with a way of helping us out. As we’ve grown over the last 3 years, our phone system simply couldn’t cope with what we needed it to do. It meant sometimes missing calls, crew members not being able to get through and a lot of running around the building to get messages to areas with no phone lines.  We are extremely grateful for the generous donation from Les Quennevais School and to Peter and Vinnie for the many hours they put in at night installing the system. Now with the help of the school and JT, we are always able to answer those important calls from our crew, partners and customers and it will help support our future growth to enable us to provide training and employment for more people with learning disabilities and autism.”

Tom Noel, JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, added: “At the beginning of this year we set up a Sustainability Team to pool ideas from across the company to help achieve our aim of becoming a carbon neutral business and a contributor to a carbon neutral island by 2030. We welcome and encourage all ideas and opportunities to recycle, reuse and reduce and when Peter and Vinnie suggested this, it really was a no brainer. We’re already making great strides in reducing waste, and this idea is at the heart of what we as a company are trying to do to minimise our impact on the planet. We’re really proud that our people feel empowered to help others and can be part of change for the better. Peter and Vinnie fitted the system in their own time, wanting to get the charity’s new system running as soon as possible. Not only is this a great example of a circular economy, it’s also a really great example of how we can all work together to achieve something good within our local community.”

JT electric car
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JT vehicles to go all electric within next few years

JT has become the latest large company to begin replacing its vehicle fleet with zero emission alternatives. Ten years ago, it was hard to imagine being able to drive more than a few miles in an electric vehicle, on a single charge – today it is very different and with an ever-growing network of charging facilities, more and more Channel Islands businesses are making the transition from fossil-fuel to low carbon electric transport.

JT have begun their transition by purchasing ten Nissan electric vehicles, starting by replacing the oldest of JT’s fleet of Suzuki vans, supporting their goal of achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2030.

Tom Noel, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, said: “JT has one of the largest commercial fleets in Jersey, with almost 100 cars used daily by our engineers. Our aim is to not only replace all petrol and diesel vehicles but to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, supporting that with charging points in key locations. As a business that has placed sustainability at the heart of everything we do, we’ve made initiatives like this a key priority of our Sustainability Strategy over the next decade.”

The EV’s may be new to JT but all have been bought at auctions having previously been used by councils in Scotland in keeping with JT’s policy to reuse, reduce and recycle wherever possible.

JT’s people are key participants and drivers of JT’s sustainability programme with many of their ideas now being adopted companywide, including going 100% paperless for note taking by using Rocketbook Fusion notebooks, re-usable water bottles, a solar panelled building and an employee voucher scheme for e-bikes.

‘Moments of global crisis often lead to historical change and the recovery from the pandemic presents a huge opportunity for Governments, businesses and individuals to put action on climate at the heart of their efforts,” said Tom.

Daragh Mcdermott
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JT provides additional support during COVID pandemic

Following the announcement of the ‘circuit breaker’ over Christmas and New Year, JT is providing a series of measures to help its customers, many of whom will be working from home or self-isolating.

In addition to the 1GB broadband speeds, which have continued to be available island wide since March, customers can make free landline calls to local numbers while the restrictions announced on Wednesday remain in place. Customers who are not already on an unlimited home broadband contract will not be charged if they go over their monthly broadband usage limit during this time.

Daragh McDermott, Managing Director JT Channel Islands, said: “We wanted to act quickly to support those in greatest need at this time of year. We also wanted to support the Government’s plans to keep islanders safe which is why we’re making it free for our customers to stay in touch as we head towards Christmas. We’ve got one of the fastest networks in the world and we want to make sure that all of those who are now working from home will have the same access as they would if they were in the office. Whilst the vast majority of our customers are already on unlimited packages, for those who are not, no further charges will be applied in the event of them going over their allowances for usage while this period of uncertainty continues.”

During December, JT will be keeping a close eye on COVID-19 developments and will continue to work closely with the Government and the Regulator to support the community as the pandemic continues.

COVID19 Initiatives

Supporting our Islands through COVID-19 >

Reed Conservation Tom Noel
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JT support for National Trust conservation

A team of volunteers from JT have joined others reconnecting with their island’s natural beauty last week swapping their desks for a day of volunteering for the National Trust in Jersey.  The team helped maintain bird hides and reed beds in St Ouen.

Six members of JT’s new sustainability team supported the Trust with habitat restoration and enhancement of the bird hides and reeds at Les Mielles de Morville. It’s part of JT’s commitment to our local environment and community and our desire to help support the wellbeing of islanders.

Jon Parkes, Lands Manager for the National Trust for Jersey, said: “Like everyone, the Trust has had an unusual year with plenty of challenges, but we are lucky enough to work with lots of corporate partners and groups. This year has seen the countryside, including National Trust sites, busier than ever, as people rediscovered the island they knew and discovered parts they never knew existed. We are delighted that people are reconnecting with nature and really valuing what we have here in Jersey. Support for the Trust from local businesses like JT is really meaningful. Especially in difficult times like these, when we all need to work together for the benefit of our community and island.”

The National Trust is continuing with its busy programme of conservation and management work at its sites across the island.

Tom Noel, JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability said: “JT is actively pursuing our new strategy which puts our planet, our people and our community at the heart of everything we do. It’s not only about reducing carbon emissions, it’s also about how our people are embracing sustainability, coming up with their own ideas for green initiatives and supporting local organisations such as the National Trust. Seeing our volunteers so passionate on such a worthwhile project like this, demonstrates their genuine commitment to making a real difference. These projects are great for team building, exposing people to new experiences and really helping to keep our environment at the forefront of all our minds, helping to maintain and protect our island for future generations – plus, it’s something we really enjoyed.”

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JT host virtual breakfast with Santa

It’s been a year where many of us have had to adapt and it’s no different in the North Pole where Santa and his trusty team have embraced technology and come up with new ways to see and hear from children all over the world.

Sadly, Santa can’t make his usual stop at the JT shop this year, so he and his busy Elves have teamed up with JT to provide a live feed to Santa’s home on Facebook making sure children across the Channel Islands won’t miss out.

Mrs Claus, who manages Santa’s very tight schedule has come up with a great idea. To make sure no time is lost making presents, Santa and his elves will chat to children while they take a break for breakfast. It will be a chance for parents to gather their little ones between 9:30 and 10:30 on each of the Sunday’s – 6th, 13th and 20th – in December to speak to Santa who will be live from his home in the North Pole, sharing in the magic of Christmas together.

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “Meeting Santa is one of the most magical experiences children can have at Christmas. It’s an annual tradition that we had to help make happen and we were so pleased when together with Santa’s team we found a solution so that local children can see and speak to Santa virtually. Things may look a little different this year, but we are so pleased that we can help keep everyone connected this Christmas.”

Parents and children will be able to type their questions and present requests live on the Facebook stream and, with the help of one of his elves, Santa will respond.

There is no need to book. Simply register interest via Facebook Live events on the JTSocial page. Reminders and updates will be sent to those that register.

JT and Macmillan Jersey
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JT supports Macmillan Jersey in raising over £23,000

The 27th September marked the end of Macmillan Jersey’s ‘Get together for Good’ events week with JT. The week was all about encouraging people in our community to come together virtually or in person, whist adhering to government advice, to support the local charity. Throughout the week there were movie nights at The Savoy Hotel, a virtual corporate quiz, customer games in De Gruchy, various coffee mornings, a pre-loved and new clothes sale and a virtual yoga session amongst the events organised.

Islanders were encouraged to either attend an organised event or host their own. Macmillan Jersey have been blown away by how many islanders embraced the concept and really engaged with the week of activities to support them in their effort to raise much needed funds. To date, the fundraising total for the ‘Get together for Good’ week is over £23,000.

Steph Gibaut, Head of Fundraising at Macmillan Jersey said “We truly can’t thank everyone that took part in our ‘Get together for Good’ week enough. We are so humbled by the generosity and support of the people of Jersey. All our events have been cancelled this year so the money raised from this event is greatly appreciated and will allow our cancer support team to continue supporting local people affected by cancer. A huge thank you from everyone at Macmillan Jersey must go to JT and their people, without their support, expertise and commitment this week would not have been possible.’’

Tamara O Brien, Group Head of Customer Experience for JT, said: “Every year we ask our people to choose a charity for us to support and this year, driven by one of our own Macmillan Volunteers, we put our hearts and minds behind Macmillan Jersey. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and with each person’s experience there is a story. For many islanders Macmillan Jersey plays a huge part in their story, supporting them and their loved ones in good times and bad. Now was the time they needed our help as a community, and I’m so pleased that so many of us came together to raise so much money for such a worthy cause. It was our privilege to be part of a new and inspirational fundraising challenge that raised awareness, raised funds and importantly, raised a lot of smiles. ‘’

MacMillan Jersey helps people with all types of cancer and has provided over 3000 support sessions in the last 12 months alone.

To find how to donate visit www.macmillanjersey.com

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JT wins silver at national awards for putting customers first

JT has won Silver at the UK Customer Experience Awards, the biggest ‘CX’ event of its kind in the world. The win for JT’s Customer Experience and Marketing Team adds to the two major awards won in August and once again, JT was up against tough competition from household names such as BT who took Bronze in the Use of Insight and Feedback – Programme category.

The category recognises organisations whose initiative has driven cultural change and achieved extraordinary CX as a result.

The judges were impressed with the way the team at JT listens to and uses the feedback from customers to improve services, products and communication. JT started a programme five years ago to improve customers’ experience as it transformed the business from an on-island telecoms provider to a world-class communications brand, pioneering digital technology supported by a first-class customer experience.

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Winning Silver when up against big companies like BT is a huge testament to the talent and dedication of our teams. We put the customer at the heart of everything we do, and the comments and suggestions we receive, whether positive or critical, help us make sure we are delivering what they want. We are delighted and thrilled that the way we value the good relationship we have with our customers has been recognised in a national award, especially given the importance of telecoms this year.”

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “Our people know how important it is to have good face-to-face contact with our customers, and while that has been difficult this year, we have found ways of reaching out so that we know what their needs are and how we can help. We work hard to make sure we deliver a great service and a lot of that is about listening to and learning about the people that use our services and products. We have had a huge amount of contact from our customers this year, and our teams adapted and, in some cases, changed roles to make sure we were able to respond to any problems and questions as quickly as possible. We are immensely proud to have come so far from when we started our customer focused strategy, making JT more than just a job for our people.”

The Customer Experience Awards, now in its tenth year, celebrates the work of CX professionals from around the world. Virgin Money and InMoment won Gold, JT Group won Silver, with BT Consumer winning Bronze.

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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.”

Macmillan JT Get Together For Good
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MacMillan Jersey and JT launch the 7 day ‘Get Together for Good’ campaign

The annual fundraising day for MacMillan Cancer Support Jersey is changing this autumn with a challenge to use 7 days to make a real difference. This year Macmillan Jersey are asking us to help them to continue to help our loved ones, and with JT are launching the ‘Get Together for Good’ campaign.

‘Get together for Good’ is a week of activities and challenges running from 21 to 27 September. Each event is about bringing friends, colleagues, classmates and families together, either online or in person. Making every day and every event unique by uniting the whole community, for one week, to make a change.

MacMillan Jersey receives no funding from MacMillan UK and relies on the donations and generosity of islanders to provide much needed services for local patients and their families. With JT’s help, the charity hopes that a refreshing approach to fundraising, allowing everyone to personalise their day, will help raise the funds needed to maintain their services.

Local businesses, eager to play their part, have really embraced the idea, providing prizes for the bumper prize draw and pledging donations for purchases made towards group events.

Lauren Perchard-Rees, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, said: “We felt that 2020 was the year for change and with the creativity and passion of the JT team, we decided to give people loads of opportunities to get together to raise money for our work. Every penny raised here, stays here, in Jersey, helping not only cancer patients but also their support network of family and close friends. The Oasis cancer support centre alone costs over £300,000 a year to run but we need more than that to continue our work with patients, especially this year as our fundraising is 50% down on previous years.”

Tamara O Brien, Group Head of Customer Experience for JT, said: “We know that in small communities such as ours in the Channel Islands, the chances are that most of us will know someone affected by cancer. By supporting MacMillan Jersey, we have helped turn the traditional one-day fundraiser into a week of fun that can be done online or in groups, giving everyone plenty of options including staying at home to having small gatherings. There will be links to downloadable invitations, suggested movie lists, bunting and posters, all to help spread the message of supporting the brilliant and vital work of MacMillan Jersey.”

MacMillan Jersey helps people with all types of cancer and has provided over 3000 support sessions in the last 12 months.

To find out more about the ‘Get together for Good’ week, how to become a partner and how to donate visit www.macmillanjersey.com

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.”