Next year’s planned development of 4G internet connections across the UK may have a positive impact on employee benefits.

According to director of Broadband Expert Richard Patterson, the allocation of new spectrum is a “massive opportunity” for people who live in rural parts of the UK to receive faster internet.

This could enable more companies to introduce remote working as part of flexible benefits packages, as staff will be able to make use of the stronger service to operate from home.

Mr Patterson believes that Ofcom – which will be in charge of the spectrum auction in 2012 – should force major providers to boost their networks in the UK countryside.

“The second option is for government investment to subsidise areas that are not commercially viable for the mobile networks to cover,” he remarked.

These thoughts come after Ofcom’s own advisory panel suggested that the 4G auction should be geared towards helping out rural dwellers who have been blighted by poor internet provisions for years.