Nationwide 5G standalone (SA) connectivity for remote workers on rail networks will add £1 billion to the U.K. economy per year, according to modelling by Vodafone UK.
It will also save regular road users £2 billion on fuel each year.
Andrea Donà, chief network officer of Vodafone UK, said, “The national rollout of a 5G standalone network has the potential to transform connectivity on the U.K.’s roads and railways. Across road and rail alone, it could unlock £3 billion a year for the U.K. through boosted productivity and by saving fuel costs through smoother journeys.
“Without the proposed merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK, the U.K. misses out on an £11 billion self-funded infrastructure investment to deliver 5G standalone to 95 per cent of the population by 2030 and 99 per cent of the UK population by 2034.”
The modelling, by WPI Strategy, used new survey data on working and connectivity patterns on trains to estimate that there could be up to 28.2 million train journeys every year in the U.K. where people want to work, but don’t due to poor connectivity. It estimates that these journeys could be provide £1 billion in extra productivity for the U.K. economy.
It also revealed that train users would save 26 million hours through reduced delays.5G SA can reduce train delays, amounting to a £10 million saving in delay compensation that could be reinvested into critical infrastructure.
Reduced congestion and journey delays for freight drivers due to 5G-connected devices on the U.K.’s roads would also equate to productivity savings of £140 million per year for businesses in the sector by reducing traffic, making journeys smarter and deliveries more time efficient.
Alongside the modelling, a new poll of 2,000 UK adults has revealed that 60 per cent say poor mobile connectivity on trains stops people using journeys productively. 5G SA could make 660 million train journeys more enjoyable for users by addressing these issues.
Almost two-thirds of travellers surveyed think that the U.K. is the world’s best at ‘going nowhere fast’ and almost three-quarters (73 per cent) are frustrated the U.K. can’t replicate the reliable, cheaper services often seen abroad.
The survey also found that addressing connectivity issues could encourage people to use public transport – more than half (51 per cent) wish they could use public transport more frequently, but cited delays as an issue. On average, commuters said that they are losing two hours and 20 minutes per month due to train service disruptions, while 51 per cent avoid trains altogether due to marginal time saved travelling by car.