A stunning market town that’s hugely popular among tourists is set to benefit from £700m invested into the UK. Bakewell is a little town nestled in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, England. The town is famous for its delicious Bakewell pudding –a sweet treat often confused with the Bakewell tart—it draws food lovers and history buffs alike.
The town is among the 500 towns and cities across the UK which are a part of Virgin Media O2 huge investment where it has switched on its next-gen 5G Standalone (5GSA). According to the Virgin Media, these upgrades are part of Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see the operator invest approximately £700m this year to future-proof its mobile network. The plan is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, a dedicated small cells rollout to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and innovative solutions to address persistent network pain points including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.
Surrounded by rolling hills and riverside walks, Bakewell is a popular base for exploring the Peak District National Park. The River Wye runs through the town, offering peaceful spots for picnics and strolls across its iconic stone bridge.
The town boasts beautiful old buildings, including the medieval All Saints Church and quaint courtyards filled with independent shops and cafés. Bakewell’s Monday market, dating back to 1330, is still a lively weekly event.
Virgin Media’s 5GSA network covers 70% of the population, and is available to customers at no extra cost. The upgrades form part of the operator’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see the operator invest around £700m this year to future-proof its mobile network.
The plan is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, rolling out small cells to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and tackling network pain points along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.
Dr Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at Virgin Media O2, said: “We invest £2million every single day with a jam-packed upgrade plan to improve the O2 mobile network and sweeten the everyday experience for our customers. With the beautiful town of Bakewell becoming the 500th location covered by our 5G Standalone network, we are serving up a real treat for customers. This milestone means O2 has the largest 5G Standalone network in the UK and really is the cherry on the cake. Come and get a slice.”
As a part of the celebrations, a record-breaking Bakewell tart the size of a tractor wheel was unveiled in the Derbyshire town.
Duncan Kirk, Managing Director and Owner of The Bakewell Tart Shop, Bakewell, said: “Bakewell has always been proud of its heritage, and this giant tart is the perfect way to share it with the world. Our shop has guarded the secret recipe for over 100 years, but we were delighted to contribute a portion to this record-breaker. It shows how our tradition and Virgin Media O2’s innovation can come together, and we’re thrilled that Bakewell itself could play a part in marking a milestone.”