Last week I speculated on the future advertising benefits of the 4G mobile network rollout. This week, research by Capital Economics (commissioned by Everything Everywhere) highlights the potential for a sizeable private sector investment to be made to successfully install 4G in the UK, in the region of £5.5bn.

The great thing here is that mobile networks are willing to stump up the cash during a time when the economy could use the boost. 

It is also estimated that 37 million work hours will be saved each year by faster download speeds and a greater ability for consumers to access the internet on the move.

This translates to a saving of £75bn in the national output over the next decade.  So for an investment significantly smaller than that dedicated to preparing London for the four week Olympics period, the telecoms industry could significantly improve the mobile experience for millions of users in the UK and boost the country’s economy into the bargain.  It seems like a no-brainer to me.

Now it’s a case of settling disputes between network providers and Ofcom before the investment can be made, either by those providers who can afford to buy the greatest percentages of the available spectrum or by a larger number of bidders buying a smaller amount in a more tightly controlled auction process.

Whatever the outcome, the successful networks stand to attract a great deal of custom from the new service, but we as users will also feel significant benefits.

We can help to make this happen faster.  Everything Everywhere has launched a fresh campaign to lobby for 4G to be installed in the UK.  Let’s not sit back and wait – register your support at 4gbritain.org and get your friends to do the same.

Adam Fairbrother is Business Director at Masius.