In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Large Public Venues (LPVs) are racing to adopt innovative technologies that not only enhance user experiences but also optimize operational efficiencies.
Reliable connectivity is a critical need, which historically meant choosing between commercial cellular networks and Wi-Fi. However, in recent years, private networks have emerged as a robust solution, offering high-speed connectivity, reliability, and secure connections for a range of applications within a venue—think venue security, point-of-sale services, and in-seat customer experiences.
A private network has essentially the same network elements as a public wireless network, including Radio Access Network (RAN), core, and backhaul services for internet connectivity. It is important to note that private cellular networks are not intended to replace Wi-Fi or commercial cellular networks operating on active Distributed Antenna System (DAS) networks within LPVs. Instead, they coexist and complement each other, serving different needs to maximize connectivity choices and support various use cases. LPVs can leverage these different types of networks and connectivity solutions to allocate traffic, applications, and services based on their unique benefits, reliability, and operating costs.
In this blog post, we dive into the world of private cellular networks—shedding light on their key benefits and exploring the diverse range of applications they support. From unlocking new revenue-generating opportunities to improving security, private networks can ensure critical business operations are kept separate from commercial traffic.
Revenue-Generating Opportunities
By leveraging the power of connectivity, LPVs can offer premium wireless services to vendors and sponsors. It also enables them to showcase products, facilitate seamless credit card transactions, and effectively engage with customers. According to an analysis by PwC and Strategy&, cashless transactions, enabled by reliable wireless services, will contribute to over 40% of U.S. payment transactions by 2025.1 These innovative solutions not only enhance visitor engagement but also allow new avenues for generating revenue through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and targeted advertising.
Venue Operations and Safety
Private networks also have a significant impact on venue operations and safety. They act as the backbone of optimized operations and secure communication platforms for LPVs. Imagine the ability to monitor crowd movements, enhance situational awareness, and facilitate efficient operations for a seamless visitor experience. From managing security systems and surveillance cameras to coordinating emergency response services, private networks play a pivotal role.
Increased Coverage Range
When utilizing advanced wireless technologies like 5G, private networks can provide increased coverage when compared to traditional Wi-Fi. This flexibility enables venues to extend connectivity to areas that are difficult to reach with traditional cable infrastructure. As a result, venues can rapidly deploy cameras and sensors, strengthening surveillance capabilities and supporting safety measures in a wide range of settings.
Innovative Applications and Services
Private networks bring a wide array of possibilities for innovative applications when integrated with edge computing solutions. For example, Augmented Reality (AR) experiences can be elevated to new heights, allowing visitors to engage with their surroundings in unprecedented ways. The dedicated nature of private networks ensures a secure and reliable communication channel, free from external interference or congestion. This reliability is crucial for delivering high-quality, low-latency data transmissions, which are fundamental for real-time AR experiences. Additionally, edge computing's localized data processing capabilities significantly reduce the round-trip time, enabling quick responses and a seamless interactive environment for visitors.
The Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity
LPVs are increasingly adopting IoT devices for various applications, such as smart lighting and crowd management. Private networks provide a reliable and secure wireless infrastructure to efficiently connect and manage these IoT devices.
Private networks are helping to transform the way LPVs operate by offering robust, secure, and flexible solutions tailored to the unique needs of each venue, including the ability to create exclusive VIP experiences that elevate visitor engagement and satisfaction. American Tower, a leader in digital infrastructure, has spent more than two decades designing, deploying, and managing wireless infrastructure solutions for LPVs. Today, we not only provide DAS networks optimized for mobile network operators but we are working with LPVs on carrier-grade Wi-Fi, private networks, hybrid networks, cloud solutions, and edge computing solutions to enable low-latency applications. Discuss the needs of your venue with our dedicated team today.
