Introduction
Verizon Business has partnered with Pryor Creek Music Festivals to implement a secure, private 5G local-area network (LAN) for the Rocklahoma outdoor music festival, slated for Labor Day Weekend 2023. This venture aims to offer a seamless connectivity experience to everyone involved in the event, which is described as “America’s Biggest Labor Day Party.”
Challenges or Objectives
The key challenge is to provide reliable, secure, and efficient wireless connectivity over a large event space of 975,000 sq ft. This network is critical for various applications, such as point-of-sale devices, laptops, ticket/barcode scanners, and general connectivity needs for employees, sponsors, vendors, and attendees.
Solution Implemented
Verizon Business is deploying a Celona-based 5G LAN to address these challenges. The turnkey solution will power connectivity needs throughout the venue, from parking areas to multiple stages and backstage facilities. This 5G LAN includes a fully integrated private wireless system, featuring RAN access, a full stack converged 4G/5G core, subscriber SIMs/eSIMs, and cloud-based orchestration.
Supporting Evidence
Jennifer Artley, Senior Vice President of 5G Acceleration at Verizon, emphasized that outdoor and temporary events represent one of the fastest-growing segments for private-network environments. Dave Giencke, Vice President at Pryor Creek Music Festivals, also noted that this 5G network will reduce waiting times for attendees, enhancing their overall experience.
Why the Selected Private Network Technology Was the Right Choice?
The Celona-based 5G LAN is especially beneficial for such large-scale events because it delivers pervasive coverage and deterministic connectivity. The fully integrated system can be quickly and easily deployed, offering a turnkey solution that is ideal for small to midsize businesses as well.
Use Case Benefits
The benefits are multifaceted:
- Enhanced experience for attendees due to reduced wait times.
- Reliable and secure connectivity for vendors and sponsors.
- Efficient management of point-of-sale systems and ticket/barcode scanners.
Industry Impact
This use case serves as a benchmark for how 5G technology can transform the live event industry. It showcases the practical applications of private 5G networks in delivering secure, high-speed, and reliable connectivity over extensive areas, which is a critical requirement for event management today.
Verizon’s Role
Verizon Business is the primary provider of the 5G LAN network, leveraging its experience and technological infrastructure to offer a robust, secure, and efficient solution tailored to the needs of a large-scale music festival.
Partners for the Use Case (Celona)
Celona is the technology partner for this project, providing the integrated 5G LAN system, which includes RAN access, a full stack converged 4G/5G core, subscriber SIMs/eSIMs, and cloud-based orchestration.
Use Case Status and Timeline
The implementation is targeted for Labor Day Weekend 2023, aligning with the schedule of the Rocklahoma music festival.
Customer Endorsements
Dave Giencke, Vice President at Pryor Creek Music Festivals, endorsed the solution, stating that the fast and stable connectivity provided by Verizon’s 5G LAN will improve the festival experience by reducing wait times for attendees.
