Everything Everywhere, the company formed from the merger of Orange and T-Mobile, has announced it will start providing next-generation 4G mobile internet from 11 September.

Regulator Ofcom has approved the company launching 4G on its existing bandwidth, meaning that the 27 million users of the UK's largest mobile network will be the first in the country to have access to super-fast 4G mobile internet.

The move means 4G is set to launch in the UK earlier than previously planned, with rivals Vodafone, O2 and Three not expected to launch their 4G networks until late next year when Ofcom auctions 4G bandwidth to other providers.

Vodafone has claimed they are 'shocked' by the decision, saying that by effectively giving Everything Everywhere a head start, "The regulator has shown a careless disregard for the best interests of consumers, businesses and the wider economy."

Research conducted by Capital Economics back in April stated that the rollout of 4G superfast mobile broadband in the UK would add £75bn to the economy by 2020 and could create 125,000 jobs.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner