Thousands flock to Highfield Festival, with Vodafone boosting network coverage on the festival grounds in Großpösna
Vodafone Boosts Network Capacity at Large Events with Temporary Base Stations
Vodafone, a leading communication company in Germany, has been enhancing network capacity at large events by deploying temporary mobile base stations. This was recently demonstrated at a European festival where 11 temporary masts were set up, marking Vodafone's largest-ever festival setup [1].
These temporary base stations are integrated with Vodafone’s existing network infrastructure to provide enhanced mobile connectivity and data capacity to event attendees. This setup aims to ensure seamless service quality despite the high density of users, effectively managing network congestion.
The mobile base station at the Highfield Festival in Großpösna is one example. It takes several days to weeks for the setup process and commissioning. About a week before the crowds arrive, the mobile mast is transported to the location by truck, and a suitable spot with a power connection is secured [2].
Once installed, the mobile base station can reach heights of up to 40 meters. It is securely positioned, cabled, connected to the power grid, and integrated frequency-wise into the existing mobile network. This setup provides more security for large crowds at the festival, enabling festival-goers to surf, call, and even make cashless payments despite peak load.
In addition to supporting standard telecom demands, these mobile base stations also support emergency call technology AML and the disaster warning system Cell Broadcast. In case of danger situations, festival visitors receive warnings directly on their smartphones via Cell Broadcast. Emergency calls at the festival are transmitted directly to the emergency control center via the mobile stations [3].
Vodafone's network strategy involves not only temporary setups but also the rationalization and optimization of their infrastructure. This means that beyond temporary setups, Vodafone continuously evolves its infrastructure to support both everyday usage and peak demands like festivals, investing in next-generation network technologies and streamlining overlapping legacy systems [4].
As of now, Vodafone equips over 75 major events this season with mobile base stations. Vodafone Germany has over 30 million mobile, over 10 million broadband, and around 12 million TV customers. The company generates an annual turnover of approximately €13 billion with around 15,000 employees [5].
Moreover, Vodafone's 5G network reaches over 90% of the population in Germany, and their machine network (Narrowband IoT) covers over 97% of German territory for industry and business [6]. The company is driving infrastructure expansion in Germany, reaching two-thirds of all German households with gigabit speed [7].
Regarding security, while specific operational security details for festival base stations are not explicitly described, standard industry practices generally include secure physical installations, controlled access to mast sites, and cybersecurity measures to protect network integrity and data privacy during such events.
In summary, Vodafone enhances network capacity at large events by deploying multiple temporary base stations and upgrading underlying infrastructure, thereby ensuring reliable connectivity for festival-goers while also supporting emergency services and disaster warnings.
Gadgets like smartphones can benefit from Vodafone's temporary mobile base stations, providing seamless connectivity and data capacity during large events. The technology behind these temporary base stations is integrated with Vodafone's existing network infrastructure, making them an essential part of the company's strategy to manage network congestion at festivals.
