Gates to Sothwell Festival 2025

Overview

Commsphere was approached by the organisers of the Gates to Sothwell Festival. The previous year, the festival had experienced significant issues with card payment terminals due to poor mobile coverage, resulting in lost revenue at both the bar and the gate. The initial request was to provide a Wi-Fi network for the main bar area, but further discussions revealed a broader need for connectivity across the site.

Challenges

• Limited mobile coverage: The site had only partial coverage from a single cell tower, obscured by surrounding terrain.
• Multiple service areas: Connectivity was required not only for the bar, but also for the box office, camping administration, and data, the backstage area.
• High reliability needed: Stable internet was essential for payment processing and operational communications.
• Impact on traders: Baby vendors on site were also struggling with card payments due to poor connectivity.

Our Approach

Before proposing a solution, Commsphere conducted a detailed site survey, including:

• Analysis of cell tower coverage mapping data
• On-site testing to confirm signal distribution
• Evaluation of elevation and line-of-sight requirements for cellular data

We determined that while a 70-meter mast could reach two cell towers approximately 10 miles away, throughput limitations meant cellular alone couldn’t deliver the bandwidth required.

Solution Delivered

• Primary connectivity: Ex-Starlink satellite systems
• Backup connectivity: On cellular-based controllers
• Switching technology: Due to known outdoor switching to ensure seamless failover and consistent performance, specifically for use with card payment devices
• Enterprise-grade access points throughout the site, each secured by Cisco access points

Deployment Highlights

• Central Point of Presence (POP): Strategically placed to serve all key areas
• From the POP, Wi-Fi was distributed to the bar area, box office, and camping admin, each served by Cisco access points
• Mail bar: Connected via 2GHz of outdoor-grade fibre, with a dedicated access point installed under the bar for optimal terminal coverage

Supporting Traders

When it became clear that traders were facing similar issues to the festival/bar, we responded to the organisers request to support traders too.

• Created a separate Wi-Fi network overnight
• Deployed additional equipment in the traders’ area
• Maintained strict quality of service (QoS) to ensure no impact on the organiser’s network

Outcome

The event was a success. While every deployment has its learning curves — especially first-time setups — our team responded transparently and proactively. We adapted to real-time needs and refined the solution for future events.

Client-Centric Values

At Commsphere, we pride ourselves on:

• Honesty: If something doesn’t go to plan, we communicate openly and work to resolve it.
• Flexibility: We adapt quickly to changing needs, even during live events.
• Partnership: We build long-term relationships based on trust and reliability.