For decades, if not 100’s of years we have been relying on person to person communication and recently in the past 20 years – Radios are used 99% of the time for communications at events.

However with the internet breaching into everyone’s lives via smartphone in way of facebook messaging, text messages, and other messaging platforms. They are becoming a primary communications method. Especially when in a noisy, or busy environment of which radios are difficult to use – Internet based communications take priority.

The demand for WiFi at events has increased, once upon a time ticket gates did not require internet access. Ticket gate scanning devices – pre 2020 were in some cases handheld custom units, now – It is a smart phone with a custom app.

Cell – Congestion

Whilst most scanning devices, e.g smartphone – have a sim card and can use 4G data, the cell RF noise gets so high around an event that the scanners in most cases loose connectivity or get very slow.

WiFi acts as a great internet source when cell becomes vulnerable to congestion. Whilst we can assist in provisioning cell towers for events, in most cases it only enhances the capacity for one network unless we contact all cell operators – Time consuming task and they don’t always appear to want to hear about an event wanting coverage… 🙁

WiFi at ticket gates is our priority in most events, if WiFi goes down at ticket gates – People cannot get in, which means extensive lines..

Artists love WiFi

Artist communications are done majority 95% of the time via internet messaging platforms, email & some video call protocols. Essential artist logistics are handled right up until and during the artist is on stage.

Lets not forget the production crew behind the artist producing video, social media content and requiring internet access to push out sometimes over 100GB of video data.

Artists LOVE WiFi at events, particularly at larger festival events – Enabling on stage live streaming and social media updates live from backstage.

Production staff offices consume if not the most data at events, with sometimes multiple production HQ’s spread across a venue – WiFi becomes a normal resource used by most staff, enabling ease of communication.

Data Use ” Concern & Anxiety ”

Before setting up at events we hear event staff getting a lot of anxiety, stress about using their personal mobile data for their work at the event.

Mobile data is expensive, no doubt. So of course when staff have to pay for their own data – Chances to communicate quickly via internet messaging protocols maybe avoided due to mobile data cost – whilst messaging actually doesn’t use a lot of data.

The ease of WiFi accessibility reduces stress of added costs to staff personally. Photos, videos of required resources, tools or equipment is more likely going to be sent – increasing efficiency.

Majority of the time we find that hotspots from staff phones being used temporarily are slow, buggy and/or overall not reliable. As soon as our WiFi is setup there is a sigh of relief from not only us but the event staff. Why? They are happy with WiFi and can do their job faster, easier and without worry that their personal data is being chomped up by front gate spreadsheets and ticket lookups. ( We also love connecting people to the internet after they have been using a sluggish hotspot! )

Economics of WiFi vs Cell Data

Festival Example: 120 staff, multiple areas of connectivity required.

EventWiFi: Cover broad areas with large range access points and redistribute bandwidth across venue as per requirements.

Buy mobile hotspots : $200+ per hotspot + data, congestion worries, RF noise issues ( multiple hotspot WiFi networks conflicting with each other is common ) & zero support.

Covering broad areas via mesh WiFi, enabling staff to roam from one area to another without disconnecting/asking for new password – is key to WiFi connectivity at events. – This saves time, money and inconsistent internet worries ( Which for the non-techy are very stressful ).

How our team can help

Our team can install multiple access points across your event ensuring your staff can access the internet and message others – Even whilst cell towers and other infrastructure is offline.

Give our team a call today or email admin@eventwifi.nz.