Vodafone is starting trials of next-generation wireless technology giving mobile internet users greater bandwidth.

The HSPA Evolution technology pilot - in partnership with Ericsson, Chinese communications network Huawei and chip company Qualcomm - will improve speeds at hotspots around London from 3.8 MBit/s to around 28 MBit/s.

The consortium will develop prototype phones and base stations for the trial.

The move comes as Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin told the Mobile World Congress that phone operators must do more to engage customers.

"Operators need to invest to bring important mobile Internet services to life," he said. "We can't sit back and become bit pipes."