In today’s world, almost everyone expects free WiFi. Whether you’re in your local cafe or catching a flight at your city’s airport, it’s second nature to join the complimentary internet in these public spaces.
In the 21st century, hosting an event often includes providing WiFi to the guests. However, supplying free internet may be complex and cumbersome, depending on the crowd size, the space, and the event’s length. Here are some of the best tips to keep your WiFi running smoothly during your function.
Assess Your Internet Needs
Though your guests may expect internet access, having free WiFi could be more imperative to your event’s staff, speakers, and performers. It’s essential to consider who will be using the internet and how vital internet connection is to your team to keep the function running.
If staff at your event need to communicate with each other consistently or your event includes guest or VIP sections, then WiFi is understandably critical to provide. Those paying extra for tickets will likely expect specific amenities, which often include reliable access to the internet.
In the digital age, most electronic payment processing systems need WiFi. If you have live performers selling merch or your event offers drinks and cocktails to guests, then steady internet will be required to sustain your event’s cohesion.
Assessing what your staff, patrons, and VIPs require for a successful night will help guide you to providing the best internet access possible.
Internet Bandwidth Options
Now that you’ve determined your event’s needs, you can decide what WiFi bandwidth to purchase for your function. You can choose between multiple bandwidths for a steady internet connection, depending on your event’s size and whether it’s outdoors or indoors.
Cellular bandwidth is one of the most popular ones to purchase due to its cost-effectiveness and quick installation. Unfortunately, this connection type would get bogged down easily by too many users. Events with countless attendees needing uninterrupted connection should opt for dedicated bandwidth, known for its reliability in high-volume situations.
User Density
After selecting your bandwidth, you’ll have to assess your event’s density spots. If you have an event with a stage or a bar, guests will likely gather in large amounts in these areas. Crowded places may cause your WiFi to lag, angering patrons and hindering your event’s smoothness.
To counteract user issues, make sure your internet setup supports high-density WiFi. Check all your installed access points at your event to ensure they can host a handful of devices simultaneously. Purchasing internet that can sustain congested usage will keep your WiFi running uninterrupted.
Apply Multiple WiFi Networks
Providing one single network for your event might do more harm than good. One of the most concerning issues with single-network WiFi is security breaches.
It’s a possibility that a patron of your event has malware on their phone, which could infect other devices by floating through the connected internet. Multiple networks on the same WiFi can prevent this occurrence, as well as provide different bandwidths for attendees, staff, and other important guests.
If your event has plenty of staff needing internet access, you can create a closed network with a specific bandwidth for them to use. Putting all your event planners and notable attendees on one line can decrease security breaches, internet shortages, and other WiFi-related problems.
Check the Internet Before the Event
Though setting up an event may be a rushed endeavor, it’s critical to set up your WiFi a few days ahead of schedule. Installing the internet earlier will allow you to ensure its reliability.
Take your stuff around to each access point and test the WiFi’s connection and speed. Especially if you have gathering spots, get multiple people to stand together and join the same network to check the internet’s lag time.
Looking into your function’s requirements and ensuring you have plenty of WiFi installation time are all helpful places to start when providing quality internet. With these five tips, you’ll be able to run an event with zero WiFi disruptions.