Internet speeds are increasing all the time right? Well, things are better than they were but in reality many events are now reaching a ‘tipping point’ of needing as much internet capacity as a medium-sized business, which means they are looking at the investment in fibre optical connections.

Not only are there increases in production internet demands (drop box and other cloud services), but many sites are now required to provide sponsors, bars and ticking partners with internet access. All of this means older systems are creaking and eventually become untenable.

Copper (phone line) based services can only provide a certain speed and reliability, whilst wireless (point to point) links to sites can be flexible, they do carry an amount of risk (though a lot of technology has been developed in this space to improve the challenges of reliability and consistency) with respect to copper based services.  There is also an assumption that there is sufficient capacity within the BT infrastructure [ known commonly as “Spare pairs “ ] to be able to deliver additional temporary capacity.

Our experiences tell us that the locating of spare pairs by Openreach has become much more of a challenge on a daily basis.

Whilst fibre optics can support significantly higher speeds (up to gigabit per second) their primary drawback is installation lead times. Because fibre is a ‘new’ technology deploying it to sites can be very challenging (this is the reason why wireless point to point links are so popular, more about them in our next issue) especially when roads literally need to be dug up to run cables.

Etherlive processes around 200 connectivity orders each year, from phone lines on beaches to fibre optic connections in the middle off Glasgow. The table below is based on our experience:

With the increased internet on site, many events are bringing partners on board to stream content either from the event in general or from the artists.

Things that can be done to reduce timelines:

Get the order in as quickly as possible. In many cases the supplier will allow you to cancel up until a certain point with no penalty; use this to your benefit.

Consider how you may sell the service to others. In many cases event sites are used by others throughout the year; can they use the service for a fee since you are already paying for it?

Look to partners. Companies like Etherlive can be used to sell the service to other events on your behalf even if those events are not in exactly the same place (by using wireless links).

Our next newsletter will address some of the commercial implications of service (for example, should you arrange a service over multiple years since you will be returning to the same location?).  Excess charges (the cost of installation) and how services can be purchased which operate for most of the year at a low speed but ‘burst’ as they are required.

Many events look to provide free Wi-Fi for attendees. For today’s smartphone generation connectivity is always in demand. With cellular networks, under increasing pressure, cell towers are not deployed to anticipate large user ‘spikes’ which events create. Even when towers are brought in many are uplinked through the local town which is already busy.

The challenge for those looking to provide Wi-Fi is how to manage the associated costs?

Two main options exist:

Sponsorship – Finding a partner who wants to increase brand exposure is the best way to fund services. It’s a great deal for both parties. The sponsor gains excellent visibility from their ‘Complimentary Wi-Fi’ which can be used across site, advertised with flyers and posters. VIP customers can be offered a faster service and invited to a special bar whilst everyone else has that association with the brand when they are desperately trying to check into Facebook or send those photos to a friend.

Collecting data – Many events now use the data from their customers to help brands looking to find a specific range of customers. Those connecting to the wireless network can contribute to this data since some key things are known about them; for example what type of handset they have, their email and what content (i.e. sites) they browsed. A few simple questions are posed as part of the network login function, permission is sought and then the information can be passed over.

Many providers now provide robust systems for managing content and customer data including Ucopia, Purple WiFi, Global reach

Are you looking to understand more about event technology?

Do you want to know more about Wi-Fi, social media, people counting and how these technologies can be used to increase revenues or improve health and safety at your event?

Etherlive will be running ‘Mind the gap’ sessions for event planners throughout 2016.

The content, which includes some of the topic below is delivered by industry experts in an informal breakfast session where questions are welcome and networking is encouraged. Breakfast is provided.

Email info@etherlive.co.uk to register your interest

Over 6 months since the Apple Pay launch, US customers are becoming used to approving transactions by a swipe of their handset on a payment terminal. With acceptance in the US, other countries are scheduled to follow during 2015. Questions about security will be forgotten as more people see others using it (just like chip and pin from signature or card from cash) and systems such as Apple Pay show users just how simple things can be (the same as they have done with purchasing digital content through iTunes)

The launch of the Apple watch will usher in a new era of wearable devices (manufactures like Samsung, LG and Motorola already have ‘chunky’ systems in the market which will be on their second generation this year) which will mean quick and convenient payments will start to shift the ‘wallet’ from the pocket to the handset.

Of course the wallet will never disappear just like the CD continues to enjoy a healthy market years after digital content has reached tipping point, but it does mean that people are familiar and understand the alternatives.

All this means the event industry needs to prepare for contactless payment; finding a partner who can meet their requirements either with a system in house or brought in as and when required (just as many do today for chip and pin terminals). A key consideration is ensuring that whichever direction is taken, connecting the systems back to the internet to process their transactions is considered at the early stages. Transaction data requirements are very small (less than an email) it’s more about getting the connections to whichever stand or bar will host the terminal. Those relying on the cellular network (GPRS etc) need to be very sure that the local infrastructure will be capable of hosting the system when the crowds arrive.

A good article from the New York Times documented the current experience of Apple Pay http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/02/a-day-with-apple-pay/?_r=1

A question that we are often asked at trade shows and events that we do is how satellite internet works. To many it seems a daunting prospect but in fact it is a simple, powerful system with a large capacity and high performance.

What is it? In principle satellite systems communicate from a dish at the event which beams signals to a geostationary satellite in space which ‘bounces’ the beam to a receiving station on the ground. We typically deploy a 78cm type dish at event sites which is responsible for beaming to the satellite to send data.

How fast is it? Speeds depend on which type of dish and packages are selected. Most events operate on a service which is on par with ADSL/home broadband type speeds. The main advantage of satellite is that it can be deployed in less than an hour.

What’s its capacity? Speeds offered range from around 10 Mbps (similar to home broadband) to 50 or 60 Mbps. System can be offered which support video streaming or general internet access.

For what type of event? Depending on budgets typically the most appropriate is two systems providing high speed internet for a press or organiser network. 

Further information about satellite services can be found on our product page here