Manchester among UK’s best for mobile connectivity

Manchester is among the best UK cities for mobile and internet connectivity, a new report claims.

Research by comparison website GoCompare places the city second in the UK, behind London.

Salford is ranked fourth, and Liverpool 11th.

Carlisle fares second worst, at 56th spot, just ahead of Exeter.

Connectivity is now a big deciding factor for investors looking to move away from overheated South East markets.

London is ranked top for mobile connectivity, fourth for broadband, and first for wifi hotspots.

Manchester is second for mobile, seventh for broadband, and second for wifi hotspots.

Salford is placed 11th for mobile connectivity, fifth in terms of broadband, and 35th for wifi, while Liverpool achieves sixth slot for mobile, and 24th for both broadband and wifi.

The GoCompare report says soaring costs in the capital, and post-Brexit uncertainty, are combining to create a dynamic environment for businesses in the UK’s regions.

A CBI report estimated that a total of £208bn in revenue could be unlocked if the regions are properly invested in.

Already, 68% of investment in digital tech went to businesses in regional hubs outside of London.

It says that, with this in mind, it is more important than ever to ensure that businesses across the country have equal access to high-speed internet, and that digital infrastructure is properly invested in.

Martyn John, from GoCompare, said: “As a technologically advanced nation, the UK could be expected to provide its population with equal access to high-quality internet.

“However, this study goes to show that more needs to be invested in some cities to offer their inhabitants the same online opportunities that people in London or Manchester receive.”