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WiFi / Internet Recommendations and FAQs

Best practices for optimizing wifi or internet connection for best zkipster app during the event

Murilo Aguiar avatar
Written by Murilo Aguiar
Updated over a week ago

What is event connectivity and why should I plan it in advance?

Event connectivity refers to the internet service available during an event and how it is distributed across the venue. The most common way to distribute internet is via WiFi. WiFi allows you and your guests to connect devices to the internet network without the need of cables.

The most common issues with connectivity during an event result from not planning in advance how to guarantee the best connectivity possible. In some cases, hiring WiFi professionals to build a dedicated network for your event is the best solution in order to have a smooth guest experience and the best performance of the zkipster mobile app.

zkipster recommends that you start planning your event connectivity when you are selecting the venue, as by that point you should be able to understand what are your internet network requirements and plan how to meet those requirements. This could prevent you from running into issues during your event, when it might already be too late to fix any internet/WiFi problems.

What is the recommended internet connection?

This will depend on the location of your event, but typically the recommended are 4G / 5G internet connections. Other connections would be fixed lines (wired internet connections such as fibre optic), which normally demand a long term contract with the provider, and satellite, which is normally the recommended for greenfield events where 4G / 5G connection or fixed lines are not available.

What is the recommended internet speed?

Having the fastest and most reliable internet connection available is always the recommended, but if the equipment installed is not of high quality or it is poorly installed, you could still run into issues.

Try to avoid a Public or Ungated internet network as you will experience changes in speed dependant on the traffic using that connection.

If you are experiencing patchy WiFi, this may cause problems for the devices to sync with each other correctly which will affect Check-In or Seating. Check out this article on Performance Recommendations on how to improve this.

Pro tip: More important than the speed of your internet connection is having a low latency, which is the time it takes for a piece of data to travel between point A to point B. For example, an optimal latency means it could take under 30 milliseconds between you pressing the button to print a name badge on the zkipster mobile app and the printer receiving this command and printing the badge.

What is the recommended WiFi network?

A reliable WiFi network has as many WiFi Access Points (WAPs) installed as necessary to guarantee that the entire area of the event has a good WiFi coverage, specially in the check-in areas, where you will be using the zkipster mobile app.

The recommended is that the WAPs are strategically positioned in areas that ensure no dead spots and to support maximum wireless performance. You also need to make sure that the WAPs have enough capacity for the amount of people that will be in those areas.

Where should the WiFi Access Points (WAPs) be installed?

There is not a unique solution for all use cases when it comes to where the WAPs should be installed, because this will depend on the venue of your event. But typically, these are a few recommendations that tackle most use cases:

- Choose the right equipment: before installing the WAPs, first make sure you have an equipment that will support high quality connectivity that covers your event needs.

- Install the WAPs on the ceiling or at least above head height: while this might not be the best solution for every use case, generally there are less chances of objects being in the way of the signal and the devices below when the signal is coming from above.

- Be aware if possible interferences: conducting a site test prior to your event can help you identify possible interferences, like brick walls or pillars obstructing the signal, nearby WiFi devices interfering with your own or WAPs

How can I improve the WiFi coverage at my event?

Over and above a stable connection, the best recommendation we can give is to ring fence your own segment of the available network at the venue, or to bring your own entirely gated network for the use of zkipster only.

As soon as you include other traffic on your connection, like Press wire uploads, Marketing social media activity, VIP guests personal usage, you risk slowing down zkipster app performance at your event. The best thing to do would be to set up your own zkipster only network .

Potential interference on your WiFi connection

It is worth speaking with your production or technical team to troubleshoot any patchy or slow WiFi. You can ask them to check for potential interference with the Wi-Fi network’s frequency range as this will impact the speed. The 802.11 wireless standards communicate in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands.

Interference can slow down a network significantly and reduce its range as well. The two most common sources of wireless network interference are wireless telephones and microwave ovens. Existing previously installed 802.11 networks can also cause interference.

Potential sources of interference in the 2.4GHz ISM band:

  • Microwave ovens

  • 2.4GHz cordless phones, DSSS and FHSS

  • Fluorescent bulbs

  • 2.4GHz video cameras

  • Elevator motors

  • Cauterizing devices

  • Plasma cutters

  • Bluetooth radios

  • Nearby 802.11, 802.11b or 802.11g WLANs

  • Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)

Potential sources of interference in the 5GHz UNII bands include the following:

  • 5GHz cordless phones

  • Radar

  • Perimeter sensors

  • Digital satellite

  • Nearby 802.11a or 802.11n WLANs

  • Outdoor wireless 5GHz bridges

Please note: zkipster does not offer support for your WiFi connection issues, only the zkipster software itself. We hope these articles on Device, Performance and Internet recommendations have been helpful.

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