Londoners missing out on mobile VoIP solutions opportunities

People and businesses in London appear to be missing out on a golden opportunity to use the latest voice over internet protocol (VoIP) solutions at their very best, as a result of an internet slowdown.

New research by consumer website uSwitch.com has found the city is the worst of all the UK's major destinations when it comes to mobile broadband.

It noted the speeds on offer to businesspeople and local residents using a handset are the slowest in each of the country's ten largest cities.

Of the mobile internet users surveyed by the website, some 39 per cent said they are not happy with the rate of current 3G connections in the UK, while 42 per cent experience problems on a daily basis.

With millions of visitors due to descend on London for the Olympic Games this summer, it may be a concerning time for communications chiefs who could fear the capital's infrastructure will buckle under the extra pressure.

The results mean mobile business broadband links in London are slower than they are in Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Edinburgh and the fastest city of them all, Portsmouth, among others.

Ernest Doku, technology expert at uSwitch.com, said: "As you'd expect, UK cities are better serviced by mobile internet than rural areas, but the 3G experience is frustrating for many, even those living and working in large urban conurbations.

"Across large swathes of the UK - and worryingly in some of the
country’s most populated towns and cities - 3G connections are simply not consistent
enough at the moment."

Such a situation could be hampering the efforts of those who wish to enjoy VoIP solutions but desire the fastest internet in order to enjoy them at their most efficient.

Ofcom recently announced it is planning to bring the latest mobile broadband technology to 98 per cent of the UK population, up from an initial target of 95 per cent.