The Importance of Event WiFi
Event WiFi and connectivity have become an increasingly important part of planning an event. While it was considered nice to have when we started Noba decades ago, it’s now often an essential element of a live event. Whether for production, press or guest event WiFi, a live stream, or some other experiential tech or app, connectivity is the glue that makes all these things possible. Events can no longer afford to have a slow or unreliable network. Connectivity helps you share your event with a broader audience and allows people worldwide to get involved.
What about 5G?
5G has made all our lives easier, but it suffers the same shortfalls as 4G. If you get too many users in one place, it starts to fall over. All the more reason to ensure your event has robust connectivity and a team to monitor it.
How Event WiFi Works?
There is a distinct difference between the WiFi we use daily in our homes and small offices to the WiFi and connectivity we would require in a live event environment. Home and small office WiFi is typically suitable for 10-20 simultaneous users before it becomes unreliable. This is due to the internet connection’s speed and the WiFi router’s performance.
An event WiFi provider brings faster connections into the building or event space and temporarily installs enterprise-grade WiFi equipment capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of users. If the venue already has a reliable internet connection, the supplier would just need to install the event WiFi equipment. A professional event WiFi supplier would also recommend the installation of backup lines, in case of primary line failure, along with onsite technical support to continually monitor the network.
- Top Tip: Always ensure your backup line is on a separate carrier network, for example, BT, O2, EE, to the main ISP line connection so that if one carrier has a failure, your network can be switched, preventing any interruption to your event.
The Jargon
IT departments have a reputation for using overly complicated tech jargon. We try not to do this whenever possible, but there are a few terms worth taking the time to understand, as they help when chatting to venues and suppliers like us.
What is CONTENTION on an internet connection?
Contention is how ‘dedicated’ an internet connection is or how many other customers it is being shared with. It is why your ‘superfast’ home broadband still buffers on YouTube at 6 PM, why you can have ‘full signal’ at a music festival but not receive a single email, and why many think they need a faster internet connection than they do. It’s also why business internet connections are much more expensive; because they are less contended!
What is RATE LIMITING?
Rate limiting is a technique employed to prevent a single user or network from using more than their fair share of the internet connection. It allows us to manage the available bandwidth, ensure a good experience for all users and make a little internet go a long way.
What do we mean by UPLOAD & DOWNLOAD speeds?
The advertised speed of an internet connection, for example, 80Mbps, is usually its download speed, with its upload speed being much slower. However, for events where sharing or uploading information to the world is critical, the upload speed is arguably as important, if not more so.
What is LOAD BALANCING?
A single internet connection is not usually fast enough to facilitate a live event. Load balancing is where multiple connections are used; we recommend up to 10 on large events for combined speed and reliability. Then if one link fails, it’s not a problem; we’ve still got others to run the show!
Internet Connections
Here’s a rundown of the different internet connections available. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, whether it’s cost or availability. We often load balance (combine) multiple connections, for example, 2x FFTC lines and 2x Satellite links, in order to get the speed and reliability we need for a particular event.
FTTC
FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) or ‘fake fibre’ (because it’s not fibre all the way into the building) is the technology that powers BT Infinity and similar home broadband services. Unfortunately, it’s not available everywhere, particularly central London and its speed will decrease over time as more people gain access
Speed: ***
Cost: *****
Reliability: ****
Availability: *****
Bonded
4G/5G Bonded 4G/5G is when multiple 4G/5G connections are combined into a single internet connection. This solution generally makes for a faster, more reliable internet service. It’s much more reliable than a single 4G/5G connection, but similar to a single 4G/5G connection can still suffer from speed fluctuations.
Speed: ****
Cost: *****
Reliability: ***
Availability: ****
Point-to-point
Point-to-point works by transmitting an existing (usually Fibre) internet connection from a nearby tall building and beaming it into the event space. If that sounds expensive, it’s because it is, but lead times are only a few days, and it’s a great last resort.
Speed: *****
Cost: *
Reliability: ****
Availability: **
Starlink
Starlink is a new broadband service and is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation. It uses a low earth orbit to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband to users across the globe. Launched in 2019, Starlink is perfect for remote locations and in our opinion, it is a game changer, which is why we have such an extensive fleet!
Speed: *****
Cost: *****
Reliability: ****
Availability: ****
Fibre
Also known as a Leased Line, a Fibre (optic) Line is the fastest, most reliable internet connection available, but it’s also the most expensive (upwards of £6,000) and has the longest lead time, a minimum of 3 months. If your chosen venue already has a Fibre Line, you’ve already won half the battle.
Speed: *****
Cost: *
Reliability: *****
Availability: *
Event WiFi Examples
Every event is different and has a unique set of requirements, whether it’s ‘WiFi in the main space’ or ‘a hardwired drop next to the photo booth’. As a result, we deliver all sorts of weird and wonderful solutions, from connectivity for thousands of music fans in a field to a handful of VIPs on a Victorian train. And that’s why it’s challenging to offer a complete ‘rate card’. Nevertheless, we thought it’d be handy to provide a few examples with guideline costs. These can be useful if you’re putting together an initial budget and need to pop something down next to the ‘connectivity’ line item.
So, the following few pages include examples of event WiFi with audience numbers and a guideline cost. We have included options from smaller pop-up brand activations to an event for thousands that require several networks and a live support team.
Just like it’s expensive to provide WiFi to thousands of users in a serviced office, it doesn’t get any cheaper doing it in a field!
So if you’re producing an event with mass connectivity requirements, a reasonable rule-of-thumb calculation is £4 per *simultaneous user (e.g. 10,000 *simultaneous users x £4 = £40,000).
*Please note: ‘simultaneous users’ is not the same as the number of attendees. Depending on the event, we see anything from 10% of all attendees being online at any one time to 110% (some have more than one device!).
- Top Tip: If you need a quick bonded 4G WiFi solution, why not try our nBox? Perfect for the smaller event. Call our team to discuss your requirements. 0345 612 3008
1. Network and CCTV for a Festival Site
Requirement
Site-wide network for production, cashless payments, sponsors, media and CCTV across a 65,000 m2 greenfield site
Service Provided
- Multiple internet connections (Fibre Leased Line, Starlink, VDSL).
- Technical team to deliver a site-wide cabled infrastructure and wireless network.
- Network comprising 90 wireless access points, 600 switch ports, 2 km of fibre cabling, 7 km of copper cabling and 25 CCTV cameras.
- CCTV for all access gates. Around-the-clock show support.
Guideline Budget: £50,000 *Prices can start from £10,000 for smaller festival sites.
Lead Time: 3-6 months
*Depending on the venue, quicker delivery will be available in certain locations.
Read case study: Rewind Fetivals
2. Network for a 10,000 User Trade Show
Requirement
A 10,000-visitor trade show that required a network and connectivity for organisers’ back office and behind-the-scenes areas, which are critical to a successful event. In addition, event WiFi for exhibitors to use on their stands and in hospitality areas, along with visitor WiFi.
Service Provided
- High-Density event WiFi Network and a Gbps backup internet connection.
- Account management to manage all exhibitor enquiries and process orders, including credit control.
- Project management to liaise between the organisers and the venue, exhibitors and technical delivery team.
- Technical team to deliver a site-wide event vent WiFi network and cabled infrastructure.
- Live Support team to monitor the event WiFi and connectivity for 3,500 exhibitors.
Guideline Budget: £70,000 *Prices from £70K to £150K upwards depending on the venues existing infrastructure.
Lead Time: 3-6 months
*Depending on the venue, quicker delivery will be available in certain locations.
Read case study: IMEX
3. 4,000 User Tech Conference
Requirement
4,000 user conference using Slido or some form of audience engagement app, live stream to global delegates, event registration network and onsite support for the duration of the conference.
Service Provided
- High-Density event WiFi Network and a Gbps backup internet connection.
- Event WiFi for 4,000 users across the event space, including all break-out areas.
- Hardwired connections to registration terminals and live stream.
- Multiple VLABS to set priorities on traffic.
- Technical team to deliver a site-wide event WiFi network and cabled infrastructure.
- Live Support team to monitor the event WiFi and connectivity for 4,000 users.
Guideline Budget: £20,000
Lead Time: 12 weeks.
*Depending on venue, quicker delivery will be available in certain locations.
Read case study: Primark
4. Production WiFi for a Brand Activation
Requirement
A 3-week central London activation. Production WiFi for 50 simultaneous users and hardwired drops for activities and entertainment.
Service Provided
- High-Density event WiFi Network and a Gbps backup internet.
- Technical team to deliver a site-wide event WiFi network for live streaming, activations, traders, and a live broadcast.
- Live Support team to monitor the event WiFi and connectivity.
Guideline Budget: £12,500
Lead Time: 4-6 weeks.
*Depending on venue, quicker delivery will be available in certain locations
Read case study: Gucci
5. Press WiFi for a Product Launch
Requirement
A one-day activation with production event WiFi for 100 demo devices, press event WiFi for 500 simultaneous users and a dedicated hardwired drop for a live stream.
Service Provided
- Increase the venues existing speed to 500 Mbps, plus provide a backup internet connection.
- A fully managed event WiFi network with a dedicated bandwidth for live stream, and user devices, including press and production.
- Project management and technical teams to deliver a sitewide WiFi network.
- Live Support team to monitor the event WiFi and connectivity.
Guideline Budget: £15,000 Press WiFi for a Product Launch
Lead Time: 6 weeks.
*Depending on the venue, quicker delivery will be available in certain locations
Read case study: Sky Glass
6. Guest WiFi & Production Network for a Fashion Show
Requirement
WiFi and connectivity for 200 simultaneous VIP guests, 50 press and 50 production for a star-studded show.
Service Provided
- A 500 Mbps point-point internet connection beamed off the roof of a nearby hotel.
- A fully managed hardwired network.
- A fully managed WiFi network to cover the entire venue.
- Dedicated bandwidth for guests, production and press.
- Technical team to deliver a site-wide WiFi network and cabled infrastructure.
- Live Support team to monitor the WiFi and connectivity for 3,500 exhibitors.
Guideline Budget: £12,000
Lead Time: 3 weeks.
*Depending on venue, quicker delivery will be available in certain locations
Read case study: Tommy Hilfiger
Venue WiFi
There are several factors to consider when choosing a venue for your event. But if connectivity is critical, it’s worth putting this at the top of your list, as depending on the venue, a fast, reliable internet connection can take months to install. Choosing a venue with a high-quality managed venue WiFi solution with a 1Gbps primary network and 1GPBS backup will make things much more straightforward. Of course, if you are holding your event in a unique location, such as a disused warehouse, in a field, out to sea or anywhere else in the world, then we can help you out. We do love a challenge!
Are you looking for a preferred WiFi supplier? Noba provides temporary and permanent WiFi to venues big and small. Many organisers opt for a basic service for day-to-day operations and small events, bringing us on board for more mission-critical projects. However, we’re happy to discuss your requirements and advise accordingly.
Call the team on: 0345 612 3008
