(Image Credit: DncnH)
EE, which serves more than half a million business and public sector accounts, has released new research conducted with the Centre for Economic & Business Research (CEBR) and YouGov that examines 4G adoption and the economic impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the UK. The study outlines how 4G and IoT technologies can drive productivity, cut costs, and enable faster, more efficient public and private services.
The Internet of Things presents substantial growth opportunities across multiple industries. As thousands of devices come online, mobile operators stand to benefit from new connectivity demands. Earlier reports noted launches of IoT platforms by major operators abroad; in the UK, EE has already introduced its own IoT offering, EE Connect, to support businesses and public services in leveraging connected devices.
Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE, commented: “We’ve shown what 4G can do for consumers, and now businesses and the public sector are using the quality and reliability of the network that we’ve built to boost the UK economy and tackle some of the biggest issues facing Britain today.” He added that the effect of 4G adoption on essential UK services can be transformative, helping organisations such as the NHS and emergency services deliver improved care more cost-effectively, and that EE is launching new capabilities to support these sectors as they prepare for an IoT-enabled future.
The research highlights several concrete examples of how 4G and the IoT are already benefiting organisations and public services:
- In the NHS, mobile technologies can improve communication between patients and primary and secondary care providers. This could reduce missed and unnecessary GP and outpatient appointments by up to 65%, potentially saving an estimated £585 million toward addressing an existing £2 billion shortfall.
- For housebuilders, having access to 4G connectivity within days rather than waiting more than a month for fixed broadband enables sites to operate sooner, helping homes to be built faster, more affordably, and with a smaller carbon footprint.
- Emergency services such as Staffordshire Police can gain significant efficiency by deploying 4G-enabled devices—saving up to 250,000 hours of frontline staff time per year, the equivalent of more than 100 officers available for patrol duty.
The study estimates that efficiency gains from 4G and IoT adoption contributed approximately £8.9 billion to the UK economy in 2015, a figure expected to grow in subsequent years. Already, half of surveyed businesses report that these technologies are critical to their competitiveness, and two-thirds say 4G or IoT solutions have increased their productivity by 10% or more.
Several sector leaders provided perspectives on how connectivity is changing their operations. Dr. Magnus Harrison, Executive Medical Director at Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and an Emergency Medicine Consultant, said: “Patients deserve the best experience throughout their care journey, and technology is a vital enabler. Mobile and digital tools help us engage better with patients, deliver appropriate care, and do so more efficiently and cost-effectively. Mobile-first services, like those from EE, can deliver more connected care and the cost savings the NHS critically needs.”
Colin Bloodworth, Head of Development Services at GreenSquare, which builds social housing, explained how faster connectivity accelerates construction: “The industry faces pressure to build more homes to address the housing shortage, so anything that helps us build more quickly and cost-effectively is welcome. If we can start work on a site without waiting for a fixed broadband connection, we save money and begin building sooner. Connectivity reduces contractor charges, travel costs, improves carbon footprint, and increases overall productivity.”
Matthew Ellis, Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, described the operational benefits for policing: “My aim is for Staffordshire to be the most technologically advanced police service. Fast, reliable field connectivity allows officers to spend more time in the community by accessing critical systems remotely and reducing time spent on administrative tasks. Rolling out mobile technology across the force has freed up an extra 250,000 hours of police time annually to be spent on the beat—equivalent to over 100 additional officers.”
Ellis added that 4G-connected devices have already shortened administrative tasks that once took days down to minutes in some cases, and that providing high-speed connectivity in vehicles turns those vehicles into mobile hotspots, giving officers, support teams, and future partner organisations essential access to information while on the move.
EE’s work underscores the role of 4G in enabling IoT deployments and highlights the commercial potential for operators as connected devices proliferate. Analysts forecast significant revenue opportunities from residential IoT devices alone over the coming decade, reflecting broad market momentum for connected solutions across sectors.
As businesses and public services increasingly adopt 4G and IoT technologies, the benefits include higher productivity, faster project delivery, and more effective public services. The research suggests that these trends will continue to expand economic value and operational capability across the UK.
Do you believe the IoT offers an important growth opportunity? Let us know in the comments.
To explore IoT developments further, consider attending IoT-focused industry events and forums where technology providers, public sector representatives, and businesses share practical use cases and deployment strategies.