Guernsey lags behind in broadband speeds

Friday 04 September 2020

Jersey’s broadband speeds are the second highest in the world, according to new analysis – and Guernsey’s are a long way behind at 48th in the global list.

Telecoms company Cable have partnered with Internet performance researchers M-Lab to produce an interactive map, which displays the average available internet speed in 221 different jurisdictions

The data shows that Jersey has an average download speed of 218mbps – suggesting that, on average, it takes just three minutes to download a 5Gb movie on the island. They are second only to Liechtenstein in the global rankings. 

With an average speed of just 36.8mbps, Guernsey lags behind Jersey and even the UK, coming 48^th globally. 

One reason for Jersey’s success, according to the analysis, is their commitment to fibre-optic broadband. Over the past few years Jersey have become ‘full-fibre,’ with the cutting-edge broadband technology being available to every home and business on the island.

Pictured: Sure engineers installed fibre-optic broadband for a clos last month, to test the sustainability of providing it island-wide

Guernsey is catching up with its sister isle, however. With significant improvements on last year's report, Sure CEO Justin Bellinger sees it as a success.

"This independent report proves that our ambitious multimillion-pound investment plan is already witnessing results," he said. "Since last year's Cable report the average broadband speeds have more than doubled. Broadband technology is constantly developing, and at Sure we're committed to future-proofing the island's telecoms infrastructure to equip it for a digital future,"

"Our investment plan includes the trial of a range of technologies for us to assess what is most effective and suitable for islanders and businesses."

Sure recently rolled out a trial of its 'Fibre in the home' project, bringing fibre-optic broadband into the homes on a clos near Admiral Park. The service is expected to provide speeds of up to 1Gbps. 27 more homes have signed up for the trial in St. Sampson's.

"The work undertaken by Sure's engineers for this trial will build on the 500km of fibre already installed on the Island," said Mr Bellinger. "Following the trial, the data will be analysed and a decision made on the sustainability of fibre technology for Guernsey or the need for further trials."