Benefits of 4G overstated, says report

Superfast broadband is unlikely to deliver the rapid returns for the UK economy that have been predicted, according to a leading business consultancy.

The Economist Intelligence Unit will say that expectations of big early returns from superfast fiber and mobile broadband may be overstated, even if there is greater confidence of a beneficial longer-term impact. The warning that there needs to be a “dose of reality” about short term benefits will come as mobile users in the UK have their first opportunity to use long-delayed superfast mobile broadband on a 4G network. The network, which will initially be available in 10 cities, will allow download speeds several times faster than 3G.