Superfast mobile broadband finally arrived in Leicester today after the city missed out last year.
Mobile company EE's superfast 4G broadband was available in Derby and Nottingham late last year but Leicester has had to wait longer for the latest technology, which will provide a faster service for people using mobile phones and tablet computers on the Orange and T-Mobile networks.
Leicester's deputy city mayor Rory Palmer complained directly to the company last year when it was announced that Leicester would have to wait its turn.
He said today: "I think it's really important that Leicester, as a leading city in the country, is part of these technological advantages.
"It's important to have that technological edge when it comes to attracting investment to the city and we want to be known as a city where companies can thrive.
"4G means people can download and upload faster on the go and get a faster internet service."
Phone users in the city centre were due to be feeling the benefits of the faster broadband today, with the improved service being rolled out across the city over the coming weeks as engineers do the necessary work at phone mast sites around Leicester.
The internet should appear about five times faster.
Rakesh Kotak, EE's regional manager for Leicester, said: "The arrival of superfast 4G mobile in Leicester is great news for residents and businesses in the area.
"A lot of mobile users with 4G-ready devices like the Apple iPhone 5 will now be able to upgrade to 4G and get the most out of their phone.
"As the first operator to bring 4G to the UK it's great that we're making it accessible to as much of the population as possible, as quickly as possible."
The 4G service was first launched five months ago and now covers more than 45 per cent of the UK population.
The news has been welcomed by local entrepreneurs.
Sameer Karim, senior partner and CEO at Douglas Wemyss Solicitors LLP in Friar Lane, Leicester, which last week won the Small Business award at the Leicester Mercury Business Awards said: "It's great news that 4G is now here in Leicester.
"A better connected city gives us all an advantage with faster, more convenient working, and better business relations to expand our network of clients and business contacts.
"The ability to communicate and connect more efficiently while travelling around the city will have a big impact on the way we're able to work."
Martin Cullen, managing director at Rockstar Promotions in Upper King Street, said: "We rely on our customers engaging with us through social media, especially when they are on the go, so this is great news.
"Being a better-connected city will be brilliant news for many small and medium sized businesses across the city."
