Indispensable: Digital infrastructure at events

Today more than ever, the smooth running of events, trade fairs and congresses requires a reliable digital infrastructure.

In our modern age, where the internet and WiFi are ubiquitous, it is essential for event organizers and venues to provide their guests with a stable and fast internet connection. That's why we wrote this blog article to highlight the importance of digital infrastructures at events in 2023 and to help you make the right decisions for your event.

The indispensable importance of digital infrastructure

In today's digital world, the Internet is as natural as electricity. Especially at events, trade fairs and congresses, a reliable digital infrastructure is essential. According to Statista, more than 97 % of the population in Northern Europe will use the Internet in 2023. Globally, the average Internet penetration rate is around 64.6 %. These figures illustrate how deeply rooted the Internet is in our everyday lives.

Event organizers and event locations cannot afford to do without a solid digital infrastructure. Almost all services and devices used at such events require an Internet connection either continuously or at certain intervals. The digital infrastructure is therefore the foundation of every successful event.

Why is a professional, digital infrastructure indispensable?

In 2023, having the Internet at an event is as natural as having electricity. It's an expected requirement, not just a nice extra. But when it comes to Internet & WiFi , people usually only think about speed and coverage of a certain area. These four points are usually forgotten. Yet they are at least as important:

1. Capacity: All components must be able to withstand peak loads. A single weak link in the chain is enough to cause the entire infrastructure to collapse.
2. Reliability: Internet connections are often unreliable. Redundancy is an important aspect to avoid outages. Events are unique and live - there is no second chance.
3. Stability: If there are many users in one place, networks such as LTE or WiFi can break down. It takes partners with experience who know such scenarios and can plan ahead.
4. Low latency: Low latency is becoming increasingly important due to real-time applications such as streaming. Livestreaming will also take place in AR and VR in the future.

What is a digital infrastructure?

A digital infrastructure comprises all the technical components required for a stable and fast Internet connection. Ultimately, the digital infrastructure is the foundation that supports all digital services. Because everyone knows that moment when a small icon indicates: no connection. A professional digital infrastructure is there to prevent such a thing from happening.

The main components, all of which must be designed for the maximum number of connected devices:

• Gateway: It allows access to the Internet and provide a fast and stable connection for users.
• Switches: They serve as central switching points in the network to distribute data packets in the infrastructure and to control data traffic.
• Access points: These devices transmit the WiFi signal on specific frequencies and enable wireless access.
• Servers: They provide the resources and services needed to run applications and store data.
• Cables: Reliable cabling made of glass or copper ensures fast and stable data transmission between the various components of the network.
• Management software: This software enables monitoring, configuration and management of the digital infrastructure to ensure smooth functionality.

Service before and during the event is also relevant:

• Setup: Setup will be performed according to event requirements to ensure optimal coverage and performance. This includes the planning and implementation of the components listed above.
• Setup and support: Professional services that include ongoing support and maintenance of the digital infrastructure during the event. This can be done either on-site or remotely, depending on the size and complexity of the event. The support team monitors the health of the network, responds to issues as they arise, and ensures rapid problem resolution to minimize downtime. They are also available as a point of contact to assist with any questions or technical difficulties.

Use cases for a digital infrastructure at events

The use cases for digital infrastructure at events are many and varied. Here are just a few concrete examples:

• Enhanced live experience: Guests want to extend their live experience to the Internet. They want to bring other people in via video telephony, they want to stream live with their smartphone, they want to share lectures or great moments.
• Real-time information: Guests expect real-time information, such as the schedule, the parking situation or where they can get further information or purchase products discussed.
• Interactive participation: The digital infrastructure enables guests to participate interactively, e.g. through live voting, polls or question-and-answer sessions via mobile apps or web platforms.
• Mobile payments and check-ins: You want to pay with your cell phone, check in via QR code. All this happens on the side and online and instantly.
• Digital presentations: Speakers and presenters can use digital media and tools to effectively present their content to attendees. This can be done, for example, through multimedia presentations, videos, live demos, or VR experiences.
• Data analysis and reporting: By using digital infrastructures, organizers can collect important data on attendee behavior, resource usage, and other metrics. This data can be analyzed and used for optimization or to generate reports and statistics.

Why is Eventnet the right partner?

Eventnet offers various modules that can be modularly expanded from events for 500 users to 30,000 users. We listen to your story and build the infrastructure it takes to make the event a memorable, digital and modern experience. With our experience, we can pre-plan scenarios and ensure that the network remains stable even when it's busy. We also provide a person in charge of the Internet during the event, either on-site or remotely, so there is always someone available if there are any problems.

Further information on digital infrastructures at events