[qasdfdsaq]

Well latency and control-plane setup times are a big benefit in themselves, but that's just the RAN layer. It also makes for a flatter, more robust core network architecture, and more capacity, easier rollout, and ultimately much better network performance and coverage for the same cost.

Indirect benefits perhaps, but it results in a much better end user experience than if the operators spent the same amount of money on 3G.