Enhancing digital connectivity at large scale events with Open RAN technology

We played a key role in the Liverpool city region HDD project, aiming to transform digital connectivity at large-scale events by providing high-capacity, secure Wi-Fi for over 11,000 attendees.

An innovative digital project, led by the University of Liverpool, has conducted the first trial of new technologies that aim to address the issue of poor digital connectivity in busy settings.

The Liverpool LCR HDD project is using Open RAN technology in a private network, an emerging telecommunications network architecture that has been shown to enable low-cost, power efficient and unobtrusive small cells to meet the demands of high-density areas.

The project has just trialled its new Open RAN HDD private network at Salt and Tar’s Music Festival. The four-day Festival attracted over 11,000 fans to Bootle’s new outdoor venue to enjoy performances by the legendary Sir Tom Jones, Status Quo, the Red Rum Club and the Farm.

The event provided a real-world, high-density usage environment for the Liverpool LCR HDD project to test if the technology could deliver high capacity, open Wi-Fi to support e-ticketing and drink and food s ales in a secure, fast and efficient way to improve the user experience.

Further trials of the technology will take place across the region at both music, transport and sports venues to see how the new HDD network works in a range of venues that involve a high number of users in the same environment.