infrastructure developments, and make Jersey stand out from the competition. But it could also give a boost to valuable spin-offs from finance that are already growing their businesses.
Graham Hughes, chief executive of Sure, says his company is already playing a role in this diversification which could grow with the benefits of new technology. Sure has just started a pilot programme for 5G mobile technology, and has already achieved mobile internet
speeds of 1.3Gbps. The average speed recorded is already 850Mbps, or 25 times Sure’s existing 4G network.
Mr Hughes said that data is now accepted as a very valuable commodity which needs to be stored and protected. A lot of finance data from the Caribbean is already stored in Jersey originally as protection from weather events, such as hurricanes
‘There are many islands and cities trying to become smart cities, including Guernsey and the Isle of Man, so our problem is finding that niche that will enable us to get ahead of the competition,’ Mr Hughes said.
‘We already have a very mature service industry, and very strong data protection legislation which ensures data put into Jersey is safe and secure. That could become a more
important role for us to play.’
Jersey’s good reputation for data protection and a stable, secure government with few geographical risks means that an increasing number of businesses want to use the Island as a sandbox or test-bed. This not only provides solutions for Jersey, such as the air quality monitoring project, but it also gives the Island something it can pick up and sell, according to Mr Hughes.
There could be even more advantages from taking up the Smart Island challenge if this brings infrastructure sharing by telecoms providers. At the moment all three telecoms operators need to have their own networks and infrastructure, including masts. A Smart Island would need less intrusive equipment and might even lead to the operators sharing their network infrastructure. That would leave them free to concentrate on serving their customers in innovative ways. That alone could produce improved efficiency in an Island suffering from very poor productivity.
If the Smart Island project covers a new port south of La Collette, then even the humble tourism industry might benefit. Apart from having more room for marine activities in the old St Helier harbour, the industry could receive a much-need increase in investment in new tourism attractions. As the Island with its huge marine tradition does not even have a decent aquarium, perhaps the development of a new ‘green’ port could incorporate a major attraction for visitors to be on and under the water nearby. It is already being done elsewhere, notably the Underwater Gardens theme parks which integrate the sea with education, science, technology and even the arts. But perhaps they are more innovative than we are.
S.R. MEAD AERIAL AND SATELLITE SYSTEMS
• Domestic & Commercial Installations • TV/ Satellite over fibre optic cable • Sky Digital Systems Supplied & Fitted • Freesat Free to View (High Definition) • Maintenance to Communal Systems • Sky Multi Room Network • All Types of Wiring
• Fully Insured & Guaranteed • Over 20 Years Experience
Tel. 01534 768735
Mb. 07797 762723 email:
sr.mead@
hotmail.com
Smart Island Page 51 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116
