Olivier Ropars, senior director of mobile commerce at eBay Europe, which compiled the report that suggests that the 4G mobile network could provide a boost to the UK economy, said:
Consumers today want convenience and speed.
The arrival of universal 4G will bring with it a more immersive, instant and intimate shopping experience than ever before - putting the most exciting features of mobile retail as we know it into high definition.
It won't just turbo-charge the way we shop. It will truly give us the ability to shop anytime, anywhere.
That means an extra £1.8 billion of consumer spending up for grabs.
4G mobile network could boost the British retail sector Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire/Press Association Images
A new study has suggested that the high-speed 4G mobile network could boost the British retail sector by an estimated £1.8 billion in a year.
The faster service is expected to reduce the frustration caused by slow or unreliable internet access which can put off consumers from making purchases on smartphones.
Retail analysts believe the national 4G roll-out could prompt a 113% surge in mobile shopping.
4G network available in nine more UK towns and cities
EE, the first network to provide a 4G service, has announced 4G is being switched on in nine new towns and cities across the UK, taking the total to 37.
The 4G network is now available in:
Barnsley
Chorley
Coventry
Newport
Preston
Rotherham
Telford
Walsall
Watford
EE said it hopes its 4G network will cover at least 72 towns and cities by summer 2013 and reach "well over half of people in the UK".
Thomas Wehmeier, principal analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, has said Ofcom's decision to allow Everything Everywhere to deliver 4G services is a 'major milestone' for the UK mobile market.
He also said it was a vindication of Everything's decision to invest in readying the ground for 4G.
He added:
Everything now has a golden opportunity to establish an early lead in the UK's 4G market, but it will only be able to exploit this window if it is able to build a successful launch strategy.
The most successful 4G operators globally, including in the world's most advanced 4G markets of the United States and Korea, have been those that came out of the traps quickly and built their networks out extensively.
4G will drive investment, employment and innovation and we look forward to making it available later this year, delivering superfast mobile broadband to the UK.
Ofcom has given mobile phone operator Everything Everywhere's 4G bid the go-ahead
Telecoms regulator Ofcom has approved mobile phone operator Everything Everywhere's bid to use its existing airwaves to deliver next generation 4G services.
The operator which owns the Orange and T-Mobile networks, will be allowed to offer services from 11 September.
Ofcom said of the decision: "Everything Everywhere 1800 MHz licences would deliver significant benefits to consumers, and that there is no material risk that those benefits will be outweighed by a distortion of competition."
