Penrith is set to benefit from improved mobile coverage as plans move forward to upgrade an existing mobile mast on Penrith Beacon. The upgrade will enhance 4G services and introduce new 5G capabilities for Vodafone customers in the area.
Since the switch-off of 3G services in early 2024, many parts of Penrith have experienced reduced mobile coverage, with some areas seeing services vanish entirely and others left with patchy voice and text-only access. The proposed upgrade coverage and bring the town up to speed with modern mobile connectivity.
The work is being led by Cornerstone, a leading mobile infrastructure services company responsible for over 20,000 sites across the UK. The company has identified the Penrith Beacon site as a suitable location for an equipment upgrade to improve Vodafone’s network performance in the region.
A spokesperson for Cornerstone said:
“As part of Vodafone’s network improvement programme, there is a specific requirement for an upgrade at this location to provide upgraded 4G and new 5G provision. The site is needed to provide enhanced 2G and 4G coverage and capacity for Vodafone, as well as new 5G services to ensure that its customers experience access to the latest technologies currently available.”
They added that the upgrade will help meet increasing demand in the area as new technologies continue to evolve and put additional pressure on mobile networks.
Rather than constructing a new mast elsewhere, the decision to upgrade the existing site on the Beacon is seen as the most efficient and least disruptive solution to enhance customer services in Penrith.
The rollout of 5G is being built on top of existing infrastructure, ensuring a smooth transition and continued support for earlier generations of mobile services. If approved, the upgraded mast will mark a significant step forward for local residents and businesses relying on strong and reliable mobile connectivity.
Last week Vodafone and Three announced the two companies had completed a long-awaited £15bn mega-merger to create VodafoneThree, which is now the UK’s largest mobile network operator with around 27m customers. The company has vowed to improve Britain’s patchy 5G coverage.
Bosses said VodafoneThree will invest £11bn over the next decade to create one of Europe’s most advanced 5G networks. This includes a £1.3bn capital expenditure pledge in the first year.
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