On the tradeshow floor, the growing challenge has become how to accommodate all of the wireless devices that seek to connect to the Internet. In addition to tablets, smart phones, and other Wi-Fi enabled devices, there are cellular aircards, 3G Mi-Fi devices and third party 3G routers that connect to the Internet via a 3G signal and then rebroadcast in the 802.11 spectrum. When thousands of these devices are trying to connect simultaneously to Wi-Fi on the convention floor, the result is interference that can hinder the ability for everyone to actually connect to the Internet. Complicating matters further, Mi-Fi’s and routers are often set to emit the highest volume and can completely displace the signal of neighboring exhibitors.
The goal of Smart City Networks and any convention center is to control this interference so that everyone can connect to the network. To ensure a high quality experience for everyone, Smart City builds and manages robust Wi-Fi networks and must work to limit interference issues.
While it may seem to be everywhere, Wi-Fi is a product of significant infrastructure, wiring and maintenance. For example, a convention center needs a Wi-Fi network with numerous wireless access points, since a single access point can only handle a finite number of users effectively. Convention centers need to provide and maintain a network that has adequate bandwidth for every event – small, medium, large or mega.