Retailers say 4G in the UK is essential for mobile commerce

By Reno

November

3

2011

Retailers have been highlighting the need for widespread 4G rollout in the UK, stating that it is an essential part of being able to properly utilise mobile commerce and keep up with competition.

There are many people who are getting fed up with hearing about the various delays and problems in connection with the rollout of 4G services in the UK. The spectrum auction for 4G has been delayed time and time again, with both consumers and businesses getting fed up and with the UK being left lagging behind many other countries.

Senior officials from the retail world have recently spoken out about the problems that they are experiencing as a result of the ongoing delays, stating that effective mobile commerce is becoming increasingly difficult at a time when it has become an essential part of keeping up with rival companies. Many believe that these 4G delays could have a negative impact on the economy, as it creates such limitations with regards to mobile commerce.

Speaking at the Internet Retailing conference in London, one senior retail official said: “Regions with 3G will stall under the pressure of mobile services without the 4G upgrade. As more and more people make use of networks, public networks face capacity issues unless the big telcos keep pace with consumer demand.” He also said that wireless networks did not provide adequate bandwidth and capacity to allow consumers to shop using their mobile phones, adding: “Wireless networks are restricted within shopping centres for individual retailers, for example, as they want customers on their own wireless network.”

The ongoing delays with the 4G spectrum have become something of a joke in the UK, and as other countries continue to benefit from the upgraded networks, which have been rolled out or are in the process of being rolled out, the UK has been left to cope with an increasingly strained 3G network.