According to a report commissioned by U.K.-based wireless operator Everything Everywhere, the impending rollout of LTE services could result in Britain garnering nearly $9 billion in direct private investments by 2015 and create or safeguard up to 125,000 jobs.
The report, conducted by Capital Economics, noted that LTE rollouts will also add .5% to the United Kingdom’s gross domestic product after 10 years. These projections are based on the rollout of LTE services across 95% of the population, with rollouts beginning later this year.
“The research shows that rolling out 4G will kick start a new cycle of investment and innovation in internet services and mobile devices for consumers, and productivity benefits for businesses,” the report noted. “It also shows how giving Britain a world class digital infrastructure will make it more globally competitive and attract new business start-ups.”
The commissioned report follows on the heels of a proposal released by U.K. regulatory commission Ofcom looking for comments on Everything Everywhere’s proposal to launch LTE services using its current 2G and 3G spectrum holdings
Everything Everywhere, which is a joint venture between German Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile and France Telecom’s Orange, recently laid out its plans for LTE services, noting it expects to have a network online later this year. The carrier is currently trialing LTE services using its 800 MHz spectrum holdings in Cornwall, with plans to add a trial using its 1.8 GHz spectrum assets in the Bristol area in April.
Ofcom has said it expects to auction off 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum later this year to support LTE rollouts. The 800 MHz spectrum is to be re-farmed from the country’s move to digital television, with proposals that would require spectrum license winners to provide LTE coverage to match that of current 2G networks. The government has said it would look into helping fund the rollout of LTE to underserved areas of the country.
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