Improving mobile 'connectivity confidence' could give UK workers back three weeks a year — and boost the UK economy by billions

UK workers could unlock more than three weeks of unproductive time a year by embracing flexible working However many say they aren't confident in their mobile networks Boosting connectivity could lead to a potential £115 billion productivity boost to the UK economy Embracing flexible working could help give the British economy a major boost, and unlock productivity across the nation, new research has claimed.

A report from VodafoneThree says boosting "connectivity confidence" to work on the go could help unlock more than three weeks of unproductive time a year, leading to a potential £115 billion productivity boost to the UK economy.

However, the report noted this all depends on being more confident in such mobile working, which can only happen if the UK's mobile networks are resilient and reliable enough.

No more wasted time The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK, found a third of Brits feel they are unable to leave their home or office Wi-Fi to get things done on-the-go, while almost half (46%) spend most of their working day at a desk.

Nearly half (43%) of those with a job said they would prioritise working on the move if they felt more confident in the quality of the UK’s mobile networks, with accessing and collaborating on work documents, taking calls on commutes and joining remote NHS consultations from phones all named as big tame savers.

British workers said they wasted almost two hours a week being unproductive on the commute, and over an hour sitting in waiting rooms and waiting to pick up children or dependents - wasted time which totals more than 10 hours a week, more than France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Singapore, Hungary and South Korea.

The lack of flexibility even extend into the weekend, as more than a third (34%) said their weekend to do list would be shorter if they could be more productive on the go, with booking all GP appointments through apps or their phones (23%), pay utility bills (27%) and book tickets on-the-go (16%) also named as tasks which could benefit from better connectivity.

“Boosting the UK’s productivity doesn’t have to mean spending more hours behind our desks," noted Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer at VodafoneThree.

"But to change the way the nation works, we need mobile networks that keep us connected to colleagues, technology and essential services on the move." “The UK Government is rightly taking this issue seriously.