Over the weekend, Rio IT deployed wireless internet for a community event with a couple of our high-powered Mikrotik 4G Wi-Fi units. Coupled with generators, these gave Five Parishes show in Colchester bubbles of coverage at critical points. This wireless internet enabled card payments for the event, along with supporting other critical administrative infrastructure. Ensuring there was connectivity and coverage where normal mobile data services would fail.
Supplying Wireless Internet for Events and Rural Areas
Reliable Wi-Fi for events can be more challenging in rural areas where there may be less infrastructure. With a steady 20 Mbps download speed indicating good network setup and signal strength, testing at the show observed 20Mbps download speed well over 100 metres from the access point. Maintaining a 20 Mbps download speed over 100 meters is impressive, as Wi-Fi signals typically weaken with distance, especially in open outdoor areas where there may be obstacles and interference. This meant that effective connectivity speeds were maintained for online payments made at the main show marquee and the Pimms tent.
Keeping payments flowing in key event locations
A big win for the event organisers was to successfully respond to the increasing demand for card payments on the event entry gates. They were delighted that one unit could cover the main show marquee and the Pimms tent, without the need or expense of extra units or generators. In the years prior to finding Rio IT, reliable data connectivity has been a challenge due to the rural setting of the show. Now with 2 years of experience, event organisers have a reliable solution that keeps card payment devices connected and taking payments.
Bringing Communities Together at The Five Parishes
Running for over 90 years, The Five Parishes Show celebrates the communities of Abberton, Langenhoe, Peldon, Great and Little Wigborough. Starting out as a horticultural show to allow local agricultural workers to show off their prize produce, it has developed into a country show for all the family. Along with the horticultural, domestic and children’s competitions, there are commercial and charity stalls, plus day entertainment at the main ring.
Connectivity for Business Continuity in Rural Locations
It is not just occasional events or rural locations that can benefit from this sort of connectivity. Similar devices can be deployed within a business premises to ensure that even if your primary broadband solution should fail, you are not left without connectivity, a good business continuity solution for any business.
If you’d like to find out how the team at Rio IT could help your business to secure connectivity for your business in a rural location, contact us today for a chat.