Sure has been trialling 5G mobile technology in Guernsey since 15 November.
Sure is the first local telecoms operator to launch an innovative trial for this new technology and has invited hundreds of customers to take part and assess 5G for free in order to evaluate how it can benefit the lives of islanders and local businesses.
The local telecoms provider, which is already recognised as having the best rated mobile network in the Channel Islands according to CICRA’s 2018 Telecoms Satisfaction Survey, will be trialling the technology for three months in two locations–Vale and St Peter Port –to assess how customers will use the transformational technology.
Eligible customers have been contacted directly with details of the trial and those who choose to participate will be given a free 5G router in their home or business. They will be asked to provide feedback on their experience via a series of online surveys to help understand the value of 5G for consumers and businesses and to test the feasibility of providing enhanced broadband services via 5G in the island.
Sure recently announced an ambitious multi-million pound five-year investment plan for Guernsey that will futureproof the island’s telecoms infrastructure and equip it for a digital future. The 5G trial is an integral part of this plan and will enable Sure to invest in 5G services to support the island’s continued prosperity and success.
5G is the transformational next generation of mobile technology providing much faster data speeds, greater network capacity. improved connections, better coverage and lower latency. Sure believes that 5G’s potential is best described as ‘fibre in the air’ as 5G will look to replicate the speeds and reliability of fibre broadband without the need for cables.
The leap from today’s fixed and mobile technology is significant; 5G is 20-40 times faster than the broadband most people currently use at home and work. The additional capacity available with 5G will enable the connection of the rapidly increasing number of digital devices used in the home, on the move and at work.
“5G is the future which offers the opportunity to connect communities in ways we’ve never seen before so we’re excited to be launching this comprehensive trial to assess the different ways consumers and businesses will want to use this ground breaking technology”, said Justin Bellinger, chief digital officer at Sure
“At Sure customers are at the heart of everything we do. We want 5G to benefit everyone so it’s very important for us that our customers can trial this latest technology and give feedback on their experience so we can develop a network that is truly impactful and beneficial to their daily lives.
“We want to launch a considered, ubiquitous 5G network aligned with the States of Guernsey’s progressive and ambitious Future of Telecoms policy. Sure fully supports the strategy and we intend to work closely with both the Government and Cicra to bring the most relevant solution to the island to support innovation in our economy in an increasingly digital future.
“Sure is very much committed to Guernsey and 5G will form an integral part of our comprehensive five year investment plan for the Bailiwick.”
The company is investing in a range of new technologies as part of its five-year plan to stay ahead of customer demand as consumers and businesses increasingly use digital services. As well as launching a 5G trial network Sure’s plans include a commitment to increasing broadband speeds through extending its fibre-rich approach, trials for fibre directly to the home and a multi-million pound investment in its submarine cables that connect Guernsey to the rest of the world, providing the foundations for these upgrades and future growth.
The Committee for Economic Development’s lead for Digital, Vice-President Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen commented: “It remains the Committee’s firm view that Guernsey’s digital connectivity needs to be of the highest standard in order to deliver the required benefits to Guernsey’s economy and community. Development of next generation mobile connectivity is a key part of that and it is therefore very positive progress to see 5G trials begin in the island. The trials will be an opportunity to gain first-hand local experience of the new technology before a wider roll-out is commenced.”
