The UK is falling behind countries like the US and South Korea in its adoption of 4G-enabled handsets, according to new figures.

Data based on a study of mobile analytics in 242 countries by Netbiscuits came as London’s Mayor Boris Johnson pledged that London would have access to 5G connectivity by 2020.

According to the figures, just 33 per cent of mobiles in the UK support 4G compared with 67 per cent in the US.

Globally, Apple’s 4G-enabled iPhone 5 and 5s are the most popular new handsets, but in the UK they are yet to overtake the older 3G-reliant iPhone 4 series.

Mr Johnson’s pledge came as part of his infrastructure plan for London leading up to 2050, which sets out infrastructural and technical requirements for the city over the next four decades.

“London is earning a reputation for being the tech capital of Europe and that is why we need to ensure every Londoner is able to access the very best digital connectivity,” he said.

“Londoners increasingly regard broadband as another utility and I am expecting a wide variety of providers will want to work with me to make this aspiration a reality.”