About JT
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JT updates its billing and charging

JT is updating the way billing and charging is done, to make sure that it reflects changing behaviour. The majority of JT customers now pay their Bills via Direct debit. Customers are increasingly opting to save paper and sign-up to receiving their bill online or via email. This is straight-forward, cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

As numbers choosing this free option have grown, the cost of sending paper bills to a diminishing minority has increased. So, following most telecoms providers and utilities in the British Isles JT will be introducing a small charge for paper bills and non-Direct Debit payments.

From 28 April 2017, customers will still be able to receive paper bills. However, they will be charged £1.25 per bill. Those choosing to make a non-Direct Debit payment (by cash, cheques, cards or online) will be charged £1.25 per payment.

JT will continue to offer all options of paying or receiving a bill. But, they strongly recommend customers to opt for the free means of paying and receiving a bill. JT is prepared to help anyone who wants to set up an email address and/or access its online portal or mobile app.

Benefitting Every JT Customer

Dominic Vye, Head of Commercial Development at JT, said: “Sending paper bills and administering non-Direct Debit payments as well as chasing late payment, now costs JT over £1m a year. That is money we could reinvest to provide better products and services that can benefit every JT customer.

“By encouraging more efficient means of receiving and paying a bill, we will improve the efficiency of our operations. Thus freeing up resources to invest elsewhere. For example, in continuing to invest in the quality of our network.

“It is also estimated that moving to paperless billing and paying will save 100’s of trees from being chopped down each year. So, this change has clear positive environmental benefits.

“We are currently contacting relevant customers to explain the options. And are making them aware of these changes ahead of time, offering assistance.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Issued by Julien Morel at Direct Input. Telephone 01534 735253 or email julien@directinput.je for more information.

JT has actively engaged with relevant stakeholders to explain the changes in more detail. These include Age Concern, Citizens’ Advice Bureau , Trading Standards and the Jersey Consumer Council.

Customers with any questions can call 882882 (and press option 2 and then 4) or, if they prefer can pop in to the JT’s Queen Street store between 5.30 pm and 7 pm on a Thursday evening to discuss the options in more detail. Alternatively, customers can visit www.jtglobal.com/billing for more information.

About JT
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JT launches cutting-edge wireless network creating Jersey as a smart island

JT is getting off to an exciting start in 2017 with a major investment in the ‘Internet of Things’. This allows everyday devices to collect and share data via a cutting-edge wireless network. JT, in partnership with Digital Jersey, is now building the Island’s first Long-Range (LoRa) Wide Area Network. This allows devices to access the internet without using 3G/4G or WiFi.

It means that Islanders will be among the first people in the world to experience – and benefit from – the next generation of internet technology. JT is already a global leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) with over one million JT SIM cards connecting devices worldwide. These include things like heart monitors in Canada to payment systems in West Africa. It has been working closely with Digital Jersey to develop plans for a smart island. Allowing other companies interested in IoT technology to use Jersey’s LoRa network as a test bed for their own products and services. The technology used in a LoRa network is designed to connect low-cost, battery-operated sensors over long distances in environments that were previously too challenging or expensive to connect.

Potential examples of a LoRa network include:

– Connecting data from sensors allows monitoring traffic congestion feeds or pedestrian footfall counts. A dynamic ‘safer journey’ planner could be created for Jersey.
– Sensors recording temperature, air quality and humidity could give asthma sufferers greater knowledge of their environment. Thus, allowing them to better prepare for the day and manage their symptoms.

Tom Noel, Managing Director of JT Wholesale, said: “LoRa is a relatively new technology but its potential in the IoT space is already considerable. IoT will fundamentally change how we live, work and do business. By building this network, and taking an open, collaborative approach, with Digital Jersey and others, we truly explore the potential of a LoRa network. Ultimately, helping our customers to engage with this exciting new world of IoT technologies.”

Tony Moretta, CEO of Digital Jersey, said;
“By working closely with JT, as well as the other members of our Test Bed group including Government and the utility companies, we can investigate the great potential of the Internet of Things. Thus, improving life in Jersey and growing our digital economy. We’re a small country. We can get all the key players around the table working together. So, we should be able to take a lead and create a smart island to attract technology developers. But also to encourage new start-ups and ultimately create new businesses and jobs. JT’s strengths in this area are a real asset for Jersey and their support is invaluable.”

END

Notes to Editors.
For further information, please contact Julien Morel at Direct Input. Telephone (+44) 1534 735253 or email julien@directinput.je

About JT
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Fibre broadband network 70% completed

JT has now completed 70% of its planned connections to Jersey’s new fibre broadband network.

A little over 34,000 properties were listed to be connected when the first property was equipped with fibre in May 2012. By the end of 2016, JT had swapped just over 24,000 homes’ and businesses’ broadband connections to the new high speed/capacity network.

In the last four-and-a-half years, the actual number of broadband connections in Jersey has risen by about 10%, or 3,000. So, JT expects to have connected over 37,000 properties by final completion.

The project was split into three phases. Firstly, installing the main computer system to sit at the heart of the new network. Secondly, running fibre-optic cabling within easy reach of every broadband customer in Jersey And then finally, connecting all of those customers directly to the new network. The first two phases are 100% complete, with the third just reaching the 70% mark.

2016 was the best year yet for connections, with the engineering teams completing more than 8,000. That connection rate has got quicker each year.

The Gold-Standard Connection

JT’s fibre-optic broadband project –  known as Gigabit Jersey – has seen the Island leap to 3rd place in the world. That is, in terms of the percentage of broadband customers directly connected to the internet with fibre-optic cabling. For comparison, in November  2016, the U.K. Government lamented the fact that less than 2% of U.K. properties have what they described as the “gold standard” of direct-to-the-home fibre broadband connections.

Fibre broadband is vital if Jersey is to keep up with new technologies. It provides guaranteed data speeds for customers. And also enables quicker, and higher capacity, connections to the internet.

As the world moves further into the ‘internet of things’ – in which many home devices are all connected together over the internet – fibre broadband is essential if Islanders are to enjoy the full benefits of the digital revolution.

Serving the Island for Decades to Come

JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs Daragh McDermott, commented:
“We are really proud of the Gigabit team for what they have achieved in 2016. It’s been our best year yet in terms of the number of properties connected to fibre. It sets us up really well for 2017.

“We fully appreciate that there are Islanders waiting for their fibre connection. We would like to reassure them that we are progressing as quickly as we can. If anyone wants to find out when they will be connected, we would ask them to check our website. Here the estimated connection dates are published.

“In effect we are replacing the Island’s entire broadband network, and are planning to do it more quickly than has been done anywhere else in the world. Such a large and complex civil infrastructure project takes time. However, once it is done, it will serve the Island well for decades to come.

“This network has put Jersey ahead of nearly every other jurisdiction in the world. Now they are trying to work out how they can catch-up. We’re looking forward to the forthcoming States’ Digital Policy Framework. This will help the Island to realise the full potential of having fibre-optic cabling going all the way to homes/offices of all broadband customers.”

END

Issued by Direct Input. Telephone 01534 735253 or email julien@directinput.je

NOTES TO EDITORS
 JT is a full-service Tier-1 global consumer and business enterprise provider with over a 120-year’s heritage based in the Channel Islands.  JT offers a domestic and global customer base a range of world-class services. Some of these include; voice and data; consultancy; co-location; leading-edge data hosting; internet; security; cloud back-up; fixed and mobile technologies; e-Gaming; M2M; Cloud Services (IaaS); fully managed IT services; and wholesale solutions.

Across 11 global locations, JT employs about 600 staff. Thus, providing products and services to over 1 million subscribers globally.

About JT
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Join Together JT Loved Ones This Christmas

For JT, ‘Join Together’ is more than just a mission statement. It is something the company tries to do at every opportunity. Recognising the importance of families joining together at Christmas, JT has given an Islander free return flights for their loved ones to travel to the Channel Islands this Christmas.

The prize draw winner, Claire Williams from Jersey, was announced on the JTsocial Facebook page. She received return flights for her family. Claire Williams’ cousin, husband and their 6 month old baby flew from Jersey all the way from Scotland. And Claire got to meet her baby for the first time.

Claire said: “I am honestly so happy right now. Tears of absolute joy from me and my cousins. Thank you so so much for this. It has made mine and my families Christmas for definite!”

Tamara O’Brien, Deputy MD of JT Guernsey, at JT said: “For many families, Christmas is seen as the one time of year when everybody joins together. And that’s why we wanted to give the some cheer. Especially to those that might not have the option otherwise.”

She added: “We are really pleased to reunite our winners family. Everyone deserves to be with their most nearest and dearest at this special time of year.”

END

Click here to watch the family reunion

Issued by Leonie Hervé at Direct Input, telephone 01534 735253 or email
leonie@directinput.je

undersea-cables-fixed
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Undersea cables fixed by BT

All three undersea cables fixed after they were cut by the anchor of a ship in the English Channel on Monday 28 November.  Last weekend, BT coordinated the repair of the first cable. Then the remaining two were reconnected and brought into service this weekend.

This was an unprecedented event and BT worked diligently with the repair organization. But also worked with its agents to repair the submarine cables within a very tight timescale. We are thankful to them for doing so. And, also to the engineers in JT and Sure for working together in a way that ensured there was no noticeable impact on customer services during that time.

This incident demonstrates why investments in multiple links to the UK and France is so important. Especially to the Channel Islands. The islands rely on connectivity. Luckily, we were able to maintain this in the most difficult of circumstances through collaboration and coordination of all 3 parties BT, JT and Sure. They have demonstrated their ability to respond, manage and resolve what could have been a significant, service impacting event in a timely, professional and diligent manner. Thereby, minimising the impact to the Channel Islands.

ENDS

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Christmas is better when you Join Together

December has arrived, and with it, all the joys of the festival season. This Christmas, JT is encouraging the community to make a difference to those less fortunate by giving essentials to local shelters and to Join Together.

JT staff will be taking part in a reverse advent calendar. This is the concept of collecting essential items in a box every day in the lead up to Christmas. Then, delivering these to those who truly need them the most on Christmas Eve. JT employees will be filling their boxes with items needed by The Shelter Trust in Jersey, St Julian’s House in Guernsey and, The Community Food Bank in Croydon. Tamara O’Brien, Deputy Managing Director of Guernsey, at JT said: The holiday season is a time when most people’s thoughts turn to being with those you love and sharing gifts. But for some, the season may bring feelings of despair rather than joy.

JT are committed to supporting our local community.  Through our reverse advent calendar initiative, we want to join together as a community.” She added: “JT would also like to extend an invite to Islanders to get involved. Especially to donate what they can. You may even have a toiletry gift set that you received last year that you haven’t used. Or even if you are prepared to go out and buy something that you know others will cherish. Whatever you can provide, it will make a real difference at this important time of year.”

The public are being asked to deliver any items they wish to donate to JT’s store on Queen Street in Jersey. Or to The High Street in Guernsey. Here a large box will be provided for donations. JT will arrange that the items are delivered to the shelters in time for Christmas Day.

Neville Benbow, Chairman, The Shelter Trust, said: “We are just over three weeks away from Christmas, and that means shopping, presents and time spent with family and friends. While most are fortunate enough to have the right environment to appreciate
the festive period fully, the shelters do see the numbers of residents rising. By joining in this initiative and giving something special to our residents, you can help them make their Christmas the best it can possibly be. We are extremely grateful to JT for making this happen and to all those who are donating.”

Notes to the editor:
The Jersey Shelter Trust is the largest provider of services for homeless people in Jersey. They offer accommodation for up to 100 homeless people from four sites around St Helier and St Saviour. They also provide an Outreach service, for ‘rough sleepers’ in partnership with the Jersey Homeless Outreach Group. And, they support former residents who now live in their own homes, but need ongoing support.

END
Issued by Leonie Hervé at Direct Input, telephone 01534 735253 or email leonie@directinput.je

For further information on Jersey Shelter please visit the website: www.shelter.org.je

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Millions of Fon Wi-Fi hotspots FREE to JT customers

Please note: JT Fon is no longer in operation. Find out more >>

JT has joined forces with Fon, the world’s largest Wi-Fi network. This means that JT fibre broadband customers will be able to move effortlessly from Wi-Fi hotspots FREE, without incurring data roaming charges.

JT has signed a partnership agreement with Fon. Fon’s global community network is based on a simple idea: if users share a bit of their Wi-Fi bandwidth at home, they can then connect for free to others who do the same, anywhere, anytime. By everyone sharing, everyone benefits.

There are now over 20 million Fon Wi-Fi hotspots all over the world now free to JT fibre customers. This includes millions in France and over 500,000 in London alone. Fon’s goal is to cover the world with Wi-Fi. Users will be able to find ‘Fon Spots’ wherever they go. Whether that’s walking down their high street, having a coffee or browsing in a shop.

The way it works is simple. Thanks to smart technology already built into JT customers’ fibre routers. Users who choose to share a small portion of their home service can then use the shared services of others. This means that they all have access to FREE Wi-Fi signals right across the Island. Thus, effectively taking their home service with them when they go out. As well as across the world.

Fon technology creates a second, separate signal that is used for sharing and is suitable for light internet browsing or checking emails. The home user will always have priority, so sharing doesn’t impact on the performance of their home service. Also, they will not incur any extra costs or usage charges. Due to the separate Wi-Fi signal, there are no security implications. The service is completely safe and secure.

Of course, JT fibre broadband customers can decide to opt-out of this free service, and not to share or unlock the potential of Fon. However, that means they also will not be able to use the bandwidth provided by others . Nor can they access the free services while abroad.

Dominic Vye, JT’s Head of Commercial Development, said: “JT has invested heavily to ensure that the Channel Islands have among the fastest broadband and mobile networks in the world. By now adding Fon to the range of benefits only available to JT fibre broadband customers, the islands take another step forward on our digital journey. This partnership will effectively create thousands of FREE Wi-Fi spots by Islanders for Islanders. By sharing a little, we all gain a lot. Not just locally but globally.”

JT is writing to all fibre broadband customers giving them information on how they can access the benefits of Fon from their JT router. So, they can start taking advantage of free Wi-Fi. The service is available to all customers on JT’s fibre network.

The Director of Fon Access, Ricardo Cabornero says, “At Fon we are extremely excited to add a new partner to our global coverage. JT was the best partner to work with in Jersey in terms of density and quality of the network. They provide broadband in the majority of households of the Island. JT will enable up to 25,000 hotspots in 3 years. Fon customers will now also be able to connect to Wi-Fi when they visit the Island and JT customers will be able to roam FREE on Fon hotspots when they travel abroad.”

To find out more about Fon, only from JT and other smart services visit /fon

END

Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact Julien Morel at Direct Input, telephone (+44) 1534 735253 or email julien@directinput.je

About Fon
Fon is a global leader in enhancing Wi-Fi access. Fon was founded in 2006 by Martin Varsavsky as the world’s first Wi-Fi community. For over 10 years we have worked together with leading carriers to build global Wi-Fi networks. We enable carriers to convert Wi-Fi routers into managed Wi-Fi hotspots by splitting the home Wi-Fi signal securely in two. One private and one public. Today, Fon powers more than 20 million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.

Fon has two business lines. Fon Network ties together the different carrier and premium networks into one coherent Fon network. Thus, facilitating user roaming between countries and selling access deals to interested parties. Fon Solutions, the technology arm of Fon, offers best-in-class Wi-Fi products and services. Our leading-edge platform enables service providers to configure and operate Wi-Fi services over hotspot networks. Designed with carriers and managed service providers in mind, Fon’s Wi-Fi platform suits the Wi-Fi needs of every business segment that wants to manage Wi-Fi networks.

Fon is backed by major strategic investors like Microsoft-Skype, Google, Qualcomm Ventures, Atomico, Coral Group, Index Ventures, BT, and Deutsche Telekom. Our vision is to be always on, always on the move. For more information, please visit www.fon.com.

 

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UPDATE: First cable is repaired

Daragh McDermott, Director of Corporate Affairs for JT, said:
“Today [TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER], the first of three cables that were cut by a ship’s anchor last Monday was repaired by the specialist cable repair ship, CS Wave Sentinel. We are now working with BT and Sure as now the cable is repaired we want to bring it back into service.

“We completed splicing (joining) the fibres in the submarine cable this afternoon. Now, we are carefully bringing the cable back online. Thereby,  increasing the levels of resilience we provide.

“The CS Wave Sentinel is moving on to repair the damage to one of the two remaining cables. This is located some 100 km away. A second cable ship, Pierre de Fermat1, has already started to repair the final damaged cable. We expect all the work to be completed by early next week. And we expect further resilience and capacity restored at that point.

“We were able to move quickly to address this unprecedented issue. Therefore, we have kept disruption to a largely unnoticeable, absolute minimum. Many people have also been involved in keeping the islands connected. However, I would especially like to thank the engineering teams in Sure and JT for their hard work during this extremely challenging period. And, of course, our customers for their understanding.”

ENDS

1 The cable ship, Pierre de Fermat, had been working on other telecom submarine cables damaged as part of this same incident.

Notes. The cable has now been fully repaired.

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UPDATE: First cable has been fixed despite poor weather

Daragh McDermott, Director of Corporate Affairs for JT, said: “The first cable has been fixed. This is one of three cables that were cut by a ship’s anchor last Monday. The rest of the cables are scheduled to be repaired early next week.

“The weather has been poor in the Channel this weekend so the CS Wave Sentinel, which is repairing the first cable, took the opportunity to sail to Brest to pick up equipment necessary to repair the second cable. Thankfully, conditions have now improved so the ship has returned to finish repairs to the first cable and now has the materials to move quickly on to the second.

“We are pleased to confirm that we are continuing to carry all traffic and that the level of disruption has been minimal but, as you would expect, we remain on high alert. We thank all of our customers for their understanding. Although we are very pleased to say that the disruption has been very minimal, if not unnoticeable. We’re pleased to announce the cable has been fixed.

“Once again, I would again like to thank Islanders for their understanding and we will continue to keep everyone updated.”

Please keep an eye on our website for continuing updates on the situation, or contact us for more information.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Last Monday, [28 NOV], three of JT’s four undersea international submarine cables were cut, thought to be caused by a ship dragging its anchor along the seabed. One cable has now been fixed, ensuring that the cables will soon be in full operation again.

Notes. The issue has now been fully rectified please click here to see more about the resolution.

About JT
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UPDATE: First cable fix is on schedule

Daragh McDermott, Director of Corporate Affairs for JT, said:
“All traffic is being carried with a limited amount of spare capacity and the level of disruption has been minimal but the situation is far from resolved and we remain on high alert. However, the first cable fix is on schedule.

“As we have said from the start, this is an unprecedented issue and there may be some disruption at peak times. I would again like to thank Islanders for their understanding and we will continue to keep everyone updated. At the current moment in time any disruptions seem to have been very minimal.

“The Cable Ship Wave Sentinel is now working above one of the cables. It has located both ends of the severed cable and will now begin the complicated task of fixing them together. It is still expected that this first cable will be repaired by the beginning of next week.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors
On Monday late afternoon and evening [28 NOV], three of JT’s four undersea international submarine cables were cut, thought to be caused by a ship dragging its anchor along the seabed.

Note. Please see the resolved undersea cable issue here. We are now happy to announce that the problem has been rectified, after all 3 cables were fixed.