Music fans at Donington’s Download Festival last weekend used over 2 terrabytes of data in three days via the festival’s free wi-fi service.
The solution, which served up the equivalent of 11 million photos or 200,000 high quality videos during the weekend, was provided by inTechnologyWiFi.
Natalie Duffield, CEO of intechnologyWiFi, said: "With increasing numbers of fans seeking to connect immediately, in real-time, with the wider world by posting updates, photos and videos to Facebook, Twitter and the like, it is critical the seamless WiFi infrastructure is in place to allow them to do so."
Large gatherings of people such as festivals generally present connectivity problems, despite being occasions when fans are keen to share their experience. Wi-fi is one way of providing mobile connectivity to such crowds, although other approaches have been used elsewhere. Wembley Stadium, for example, has been connected by 4G.
Duffield added: "The issue faced by event organisers is that common connectivity infrastructure – such as 3G – simply isn’t up to the challenge. While 4G offers improved connectivity, users are likely to encounter exactly the same problems when trying to connect, as the number of users continues to increase."
inTechnology’s solution will also be used at Latitude, Reading and Creamfields this summer.
Glen Littlewood, Marketing Director of Live Nation UK, which manages Download and Creamfields, said: "Live Nation and Cream are delighted to have intechnologyWiFi on board for two of our flagship festivals, Download and Creamfields. Ensuring that those attending these events have fast, efficient, ‘always on’ WiFi coverage is central to creating unrivalled fan experiences that look to benefit our customers.
"The partnership with intechnologyWiFi provides opportunity for an unprecedented understanding of our festival audiences, helping us to deliver a more tailored, safer experience, while optimum WiFi connectivity allows fans to engage seamlessly on digital channels."
Image credit: Richard Johnson
