Channel Islands

:Alternative meaning: Channel Islands of California

Transport and Communications

Since 1969, Jersey and Guernsey have operated postal administrations independently of the UK's Royal Mail, with their own postage stamps, which can only be used for postage in their respective Bailiwicks. UK stamps are no longer valid, but mail to the Islands, and to the Isle of Man, is still treated as UK inland. However, it was not until the early 1990s that the Islands joined the UK's postcode system, Jersey postcodes using the initials JE and Guernsey using GY.

Related Topics:
1969 - Royal Mail - Isle of Man - 1990s - Postcode

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Jersey always operated its own telephone services independently of the UK's General Post Office, but Guernsey did not establish its own telephone services until 1969. Both Islands still form part of the UK telephone numbering plan, but Ofcom in the UK does not have responsibility for regulatory and licensing issues on the Islands.

Related Topics:
Telephone - 1969 - UK telephone numbering plan - Ofcom

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The Channel Islands have their own country-code top-level-domains (ccTLDs) on the internet, managed by a single registry based in Alderney. The ccTLDs are .gg for the Bailiwick of Guernsey (including Alderney and Sark) and .je for the Bailiwick of Jersey. Alderney has a large and growing internet gambling industry.

Related Topics:
CcTLD - .gg - .je

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Each of the three largest islands has a distinct vehicle registration scheme:

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• Guernsey (GBG)- simply a number, up to five digits;
• Jersey (GBJ) - J followed by up to six digits (vanity plates are also issued);
• Alderney (GBA) - AY followed by up to five digits (though it seems that four digits are the most that have been used).

In Sark - where most motor traffic is prohibited - the few vehicles (nearly all tractors) on the island do not display plates.

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