Not to be outdone, Guernsey was also in the telco news as Beyon rebrands Sure
The Channel Islands telecoms sector saw two major developments in the past week, reshaping ownership and brand identity across the Crown Dependencies. Jersey-based JT has agreed to acquire Manx Telecom, while Beyon has rebranded Sure as Sure by Beyon across Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
JT Group, wholly owned by the States of Jersey, has signed a definitive agreement with CVC Capital Partners’ dedicated infrastructure fund (CVC DIF) to acquire Manx Telecom, the Isle of Man’s incumbent operator. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal brings together two long-established operators with deep local roots and even some international ambitions, creating the largest full-service telecoms provider across the Crown Dependencies. The combined group will serve customers in Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, as well as enterprise clients worldwide.
Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group, described the move as “a major step forward for JT and Manx Telecom,” positioning the combined entity as “a powerful platform for innovation and investment” in 5G, fibre, IoT and managed services.
The acquisition marks another stage in the evolving ownership of both operators. JT remains under public ownership, while Manx Telecom has passed through several private equity hands since its 2010 separation from Cable & Wireless, including HgCapital and Basalt Infrastructure Partners. The partnership with CVC DIF adds new capital and expertise for long-term growth and reinforces JT’s ambition to scale its IoT and managed service business globally.
Elaine Millar, Jersey’s Minister for Treasury and Resources, said the deal “strengthens JT’s position and growth plans and reinforces our commitment to digital leadership and economic resilience.”
Beyon is Sure about it
Meanwhile, former Guernsey Telecom, now Sure, has taken a different path under Bahraini ownership. Beyon, formerly Batelco, announced the rollout of the Sure by Beyon brand across the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, aligning its international operations under a unified identity.
The rebrand follows the Umniah by Beyon launch in Jordan and underscores Beyon’s ambition to build what they hope will be a cohesive global technology group. Sure has long been a key provider of fixed and mobile services across the islands and the South Atlantic, with a heritage tracing back to Cable & Wireless before its 2013 acquisition by Batelco.
Beyon Group CEO Andrew Kvalseth said the launch “marks another important step in aligning our telecommunications brands under one identity that embodies the innovation, scale, and values of Beyon,” adding that Sure’s strong fundamentals and continued investment in next-generation networks “create long-term value for both the islands and the Group.”
Contrasting ownership, shared ambitions
While not directly linked, the two milestones, on the one hand, highlight the contrasting structures of the islands’ main operators: JT remains government-owned and locally anchored, while Sure is part of a Gulf-based technology group with growing international reach. On the other hand, both are investing in fibre, 5G and digital infrastructure looking to offer broader service options and continue their respective investment in next-generation technologies.