Everything Everywhere: UK PLC demands 4G
Most business leaders think 4G is essential for UK competitiveness, research shows.


UK businesses want 4G services to be made available as soon as possible, according to a new study by network provider Everything Everywhere.
The report, carried out by research firm Coleman Parkes and commissioned by Everything Everywhere, found that 93 per cent of UK businesses want the technology deployed at the first available opportunity.
Ninety-four per cent of respondents also claimed the UK needs 4G networks to remain competitive and protect jobs.
Everything Everywhere is locked in a battle with other mobile providers over its plans to push ahead with its 4G rollout, ahead of schedule, by reusing spectrum it already has in the 1800MHz region.
Over 1,000 UK business decision makers took part in the research and 86 per cent of them believe access to 4G networks would increase their business productivity.
Nearly a third (29 per cent) of respondents said the ability to engage with customers and colleagues through mobile TV, video conferencing, and through CRM applications is the main benefit they expect from 4G.
Over half (52 per cent) cited greater levels of flexible working as another expected benefit of 4G. Meanwhile, 27 per cent of respondents said the ability to securely update and access documents in the cloud will benefit them most when 4G becomes available in the UK.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Brian O'Connor, group IS director of construction firm Morgan Sindall Group, said his company had several construction projects on the go at any time and a huge mobile workforce.
"For this reason, amongst others, we believe a usable 4G network would provide a major improvement to critical information flows within the construction industry," said O'Connor.
Martin Stiven, vice president of B2B at Everything Everywhere, said UK businesses need 4G networks to help them be more productive and compete on the international stage.
"Half of the countries on the G20 list of the world's biggest economies already have 4G, leaving British businesses at risk of falling behind rivals," he said.
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
Cleo attack victim list grows as Hertz confirms customer data stolen
News Hertz has confirmed it suffered a data breach as a result of the Cleo zero-day vulnerability in late 2024, with the car rental giant warning that customer data was stolen.
By Ross Kelly
-
Lateral moves in tech: Why leaders should support employee mobility
In-depth Encouraging staff to switch roles can have long-term benefits for skills in the tech sector
By Keri Allan
-
HPE eyes enterprise data sovereignty gains with Aruba Networking Central expansion
News HPE has announced a sweeping expansion of its Aruba Networking Central platform, offering users a raft of new features focused on driving security and data sovereignty.
By Ross Kelly
-
Extreme Networks targets simplicity with Platform ONE for MSPs
News Extreme Networks has announced a new program for MSPs which includes access to its Extreme Platform ONE to address cost challenges.
By Daniel Todd
-
Zyxel Networks targets cloud networking growth with new partner program
News The revamped initiative places an increased focus on the firm’s Nebula cloud platform
By Daniel Todd
-
Closing the connectivity gap
Whitepaper Five reasons full fibre broadband is a game changer for your business
By ITPro
-
Fortify your future: How HPE ProLiant Servers deliver top-tier cyber security, management, and performance
Whitepaper Deploy servers with a secure approach
By ITPro
-
Fortify your future with HPE ProLiant Servers powered by Intel
Whitepaper Enhance your security and manage your servers more effectively
By ITPro
-
Architecting enterprise networks for the next decade
Whitepaper A new paradigm in network architecture
By ITPro
-
Better together: HPE Aruba Networking CX switches and HPE Aruba Networking Central
Whitepaper Explore the power and simplicity of managing HPE Aruba Networking CX Switches with HPE Aruba Networking Central
By ITPro