Temporary External Wifi Supply for sporting event

[C00perman]

Hi all - I have been asked to provide temporary ( approx. 1 week) WiFi access at a sports event, and require a cost effective solution to allow up to 300 users access to internet services via WiFi.
The coverage is primarily outside and we do have access to cabling to enable POE access points to be deployed from a temporary cabled internet connection via switches. The site is approx 100m x 100m in area. My question is:
Does anyone recommend suitable Wireless hardware that would enable this to happen. I would like to be able to do this with no more than 3 x access points if at all possible, as the event is non profit making. Any previous experience gratefully considered.

 

[bill001g]

It depends on what the 300 users are doing. It takes only a tiny number to wipe out a AP. If you follow the normal recommendations for AP you would likely need 10-20 AP and that assumes the users are behaving themselves with simple requests.

I would look at ubiquiti solution. They are one of the very few that you can get the software that lets you run the AP centrally for free. They sell lots of indoor and outdoor equipment. When you look at the cost of a true AP that can run on PoE their prices are quite a bit lower than commercial systems.

You largest issue is going to be determining you user density and putting enough wireless heads for them to connect. Used to portable devices could not put much load but now many cell phones can easily stream a hd video either up or down. It is extremely common for people to post photos online from sporting events. You are going to need a huge amount of bandwidth....along with lots of radios to accommodate the users.

 

[C00perman]

It depends on what the 300 users are doing. It takes only a tiny number to wipe out a AP. If you follow the normal recommendations for AP you would likely need 10-20 AP and that assumes the users are behaving themselves with simple requests.

I would look at ubiquiti solution. They are one of the very few that you can get the software that lets you run the AP centrally for free. They sell lots of indoor and outdoor equipment. When you look at the cost of a true AP that can run on PoE their prices are quite a bit lower than commercial systems.

You largest issue is going to be determining you user density and putting enough wireless heads for them to connect. Used to portable devices could not put much load but now many cell phones can easily stream a hd video either up or down. It is extremely common for people to post photos online from sporting events. You are going to need a huge amount of bandwidth....along with lots of radios to accommodate the users.

 

[C00perman]

Many thanks for your advise on this - Will need to speak to the organisers to see what way they want to proceed on this but I now have something to discuss and set their expectations. Much appreciated