A demonstration to show how the next generation of mobile phone coverage can benefit businesses in south Cumbria has been held as efforts to increase coverage continue.
Fifth generation – 5G – offers much faster data download and upload speeds through greater use of the radio spectrum.
Windermere Ferry is one of five sites identified by the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme. Other sites are at Destination Tweed, Kielder Castle and Forest, Stranraer Marina and The Sill @ Hadrian’s Wall.
The aim at Windermere is for ferry users to be able to connect and pay digitally as easily as possible. It’s also hoped greater connectivity will help when it comes enabling visitors to browse other attractions too.
On Sunday a temporary advanced wireless network was set up at Bowness Glebe Christmas market event to demonstrate the advantages of the system.
“Small businesses like ours really struggle with connectivity at these kinds of events,” Bryan Mol from Lake District Biltong who made use of improved connectivity said. “If you can’t take electronic payments it can be devastating.”
Businesses around Bowness and Windermere are being invited to get involved in the project increase understanding about the 5G Innovation Regions programme.
“There is a real excitement around the work being carried out under the 5G Innovations Programme and the benefits this technology can bring to the residents, businesses and visitors of the Digital Borderlands area,” Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s champion for digital infrastructure, said.
