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EE finds 74% of Brits want 4G as soon as possible
Three-quarters of consumers want 4G access as soon as possible, a new survey has found.
A survey carried out on behalf of the network operator by YouGov found that 74 per cent of respondents believe the industry should push forward with the deployment sooner rather than later, with 66 per cent stating the service will help the UK stay competitive and catch up with other countries.
Almost six in ten (58 per cent) said the technology should be made available soon because they want access to faster internet connectivity, while just under half (45 per cent) claimed it is important for job creation and the economy.
Of people surveyed who expressed an opinion on the matter, 82 per cent stated the adoption of innovative services such as 4G is essential if Britain is to remain competitive and jobs are to be protected.
Commenting on the research, EE chief executive Olaf Swantee said: "Consumers are calling for the fast and reliable broadband that 4G LTE can provide - and they want it now.
"With nearly three dozen countries, including many parts of Europe, Asia and America having already rolled out 4G, it is imperative that the UK moves forward with building a 21st century digital infrastructure as soon as possible."
EE has a vested interest in this result, as it is pushing to deploy the country's first commercially-available 4G mobile broadband service before the end of this year.
The company, which owns the Orange and T-Mobile brands in the UK, is looking to re-use some of its existing airwaves to support 4G before Ofcom's spectrum auction takes place in late 2012 and early 2013.
Ofcom came out in support of the move, claiming it would not distort competition, but rival carriers O2 and Vodafone have both argued it would give EE an unfair head start.