Jersey Telecom (JT) has outlined its ambition to invest £80 million ($101m) in the rollout of its 5G network across the Channel Islands.

The state-owned company also revealed it's working with Swedish vendor Ericsson to support this project.

The deployment will also see JT replace its existing 4G network, which is based on kit from ZTE, as it's now seen as a security risk by the UK government.

Its contract with Ericsson includes the mobile network modernization and upgrades to JT’s CORE, Radio Access Network (RAN), and managed services networks.

"Communications technology never stands still, it’s a rapidly changing environment but as with the rollout of fiber, we need to stay ahead of the game and this program will provide the transformation and leap in technology now required to meet the future demands of businesses and consumers," said Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group.

JT didn't reveal an exact timeline for when it expects to launch a 5G service but did say it will begin its project with Ericsson this year.

Jersey Evening Post reports that the operator's investment in 5G is being supported by the sale of its IoT division for £200 million ($255m) back in 2021, which also provided its shareholder, the government, with a £40m windfall.

No telco has launched a 5G network in Jersey as of yet, though JT and Sure Jersey have both had applications accepted by regulators to provide for 'Full Service’ 5G spectrum packages.