A new report from WPI Strategy, commissioned by VodafoneThree, finds that enhancing mobile connectivity could pave the way for 49,000 new businesses and inject a £6.6 billion annual boost into the UK economy after ten years. 

According to our latest report conducted for VodafoneThree, improved mobile connectivity could deliver a £6.6 billion annual boost to the UK economy after 10 years by enabling the creation of tens of thousands of new businesses. 

The analysis was underpinned by an independent survey of 2,000 individuals including existing and aspiring business owners, as well as a focus group which was held in Newcastle-under-Lyme, an area which has a relatively low number of SMEs but relatively high number of young people. 

The findings clearly show that poor mobile signal is a major obstacle to entrepreneurship throughout the UK. Almost two-thirds (62%) of potential founders reported that unreliable connectivity has stopped them from launching a business locally. Furthermore, a third (33%) believe improved signal would make their area more appealing for starting a business, and 26% say it would directly increase their willingness to establish a company.