Britain has a severe problem with internet, and we’re not just talking about dodgy wifi connections. A government watchdog has discovered that our 4G mobile phone coverage is worse than in Peru, Panama, Albania and Romania. With most users unable to connect half the time to their internet.
You’d expect Britain - as a front runner for all digital technologies - to have secure phone connectivity…but no we’ve been labelled a ‘digital desert,’ and are 54th in the world for 4G coverage.
Taken by the National Infrastructure Commission, the report states that the UK is being held back by our poor mobile phone connectivity, with countries like Japan and the US overtaking our data 4 to 5 times.
Apparently 80% of rural premises are in a ‘not sport’ for 4G coverage, with users only able to connect 53% of the time. Chaired by non-affiliated Lord Adonis, the NIC has called upon the Government to do something about our data problem and prep our country for the introduction of 5G.
According to Lord Adonis: ‘5G is the future - ultra-fast, and ultra-reliable it has the potential to change our lives and our economy in ways we cannot even imagine today. But the UK is currently languishing in the digital slow lane.’
Well that’s just fantastic isn’t it. We’re being told to be plugged in constantly, to keep up with digital trends and be at the forefront of all digital technologies, but we can’t even do that. How are businesses and influencers meant to grow their brands if connectivity is only possible 50% of the time? It’s frustrating to think that we’re being held back all because of a weak internet issue that we have no control over it, while the rest of the world zooms past us in the digital fast lane.
The Telegraph reports that the ‘Government and regulator Ofcom should develop a Universal Service Obligation requiring providers to ensure consumers can access essential services when they need them, regardless of the network they subscribe to.’ Yes yes yes to this - sort it out, nobody puts Britain's internet in the corner.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.