List of things to consider deploying large venue WiFi

• Prerequisites

• Choosing Access Points

• How to benefit from guest WiFi?

  • WiFi marketing

  • Location-based services

  • Customers insights

• Takeaways

Prerequisites for Designing a Scalable Wi-Fi Network

Before diving into the technical aspects of designing a scalable Wi-Fi network for shopping malls, airports, stadiums and other large venues it’s essential to establish a clear understanding of the venue's specific characteristics and requirements. These prerequisites will guide the planning process and ensure that the network is tailored to the unique demands of the space.

Still wondering why you need a guest WiFi at your venue? Check how to make revenue out of it with Linkyfi platform!

• Maximize Your Earnings with Free WiFi Monetization Using Linkyfi
• Customer Engagement and ROI Through Captive Portal WiFi
• Guest WiFi Monetization

Total Surface Area

The total surface area of the venue is the primary factor in determining the scale of the Wi-Fi network. Larger venues require more access points to ensure complete coverage, especially in areas with physical obstructions or complex layouts. The surface can be really huge reaching million of square meters for biggest shopping malls and airports terminals however average size of shopping mall is between 50 000 and 100 000 square meters what is also range for average terminal and stadium.

• Measurement: Accurately measure the total surface area, including both indoor and outdoor spaces that need coverage. This will help in estimating the number of access points required and the overall design of the network.
• Impact on Design: Large surface areas with varying topographies or structures may require different types of access points or additional equipment to maintain consistent connectivity across the venue.

GLA (Gross Leasable Area)

For venues like shopping malls, convention centers, and airports, understanding the Gross Leasable Area (GLA) is crucial for guest WiFi marketing. The GLA represents the total area available for lease to tenants, and it often correlates with areas of high user density where Wi-Fi demand will be greatest.

• High-Traffic Zones: Identify which areas of the GLA are expected to attract the most visitors. These zones typically require more robust coverage and higher capacity access points to handle increased traffic as well as WiFi marketing system.
• Tenant Integration: Consider how the network will integrate with tenants' needs, especially in retail environments where individual stores may have specific requirements for connectivity and location-based services.

Floorplan and Layout

The venue’s floorplan and layout have a significant impact on network design. Understanding the physical structure is essential for planning access point placement and ensuring comprehensive coverage.

• Structural Elements: Identify walls, columns, and other structural elements that may interfere with signal propagation. Materials like concrete, metal, and glass can block or reflect Wi-Fi signals, necessitating careful planning of access point placement.
• Zoning: Divide the floorplan into zones based on expected usage patterns, such as seating areas, walkways, entrances, and commercial spaces. Each zone may have different requirements for coverage and capacity.

Type of Venue

The type of venue plays a key role in determining the design and requirements of the Wi-Fi network. Different venues have unique characteristics and user behaviors that must be accounted for in the design process.

• Stadiums and Arenas: These venues typically experience extremely high-density usage during events, requiring a network that can handle thousands of simultaneous connections within minutes. For instance, during a break in a match, thousands - usually 10-30% of audience - of people may log in within a single minute.
• Convention Centers: With large exhibition halls and numerous smaller meeting rooms, convention centers require flexible networks that can adapt to varying user densities and provide seamless connectivity throughout. It's important to consider that the environment can change rapidly, so there must be a buffer for situations where new large booths or displays may be added.
• Airports and Transit Hubs: These spaces must provide continuous, reliable Wi-Fi across vast areas, including terminals, gates, lounges, and retail spaces, with special attention to security and seamless handoff between access points as users move. Please note that in international venues, the percentage of people logging into the Wi-Fi will be significant and could exceed 50%, meaning tens of thousands of users daily.
• Shopping Malls: Malls require Wi-Fi that supports both consumer and retailer needs, including support for marketing and analytics tools to enhance the shopping experience. In a typical shopping mall with 50,000 to 100,000 square meters, there will be several thousand people present at any given time, with hundreds of them using Wi-Fi simultaneously.

Peak Estimated Traffic

Estimating peak traffic is crucial for designing a network that can handle maximum demand without degradation in performance. This involves understanding both the number of users and their expected behavior on the network.

• User Estimates: Calculate the maximum number of concurrent users based on historical data or expected attendance for events. This helps in determining the required capacity of the network.
• Usage Patterns: Consider the types of activities users will be engaging in, such as streaming video, browsing social media, or using location-based services. Different activities require different levels of bandwidth and network resources.
• Event-Based Fluctuations: For venues that host events, peak traffic may fluctuate significantly. The network must be scalable to accommodate these surges, often necessitating temporary boosts in capacity or the use of mobile access points.
• Weather-Based Fluctuations: Peak traffic may fluctuate significantly depending on weather conditions. For instance, during heavy rain or extreme heat, more people may stay indoors and connect to the network, increasing demand. Conversely, during mild weather, outdoor areas might see higher usage, requiring more coverage in those zones. The network must be scalable to handle these shifts.

After gathering all these prerequisits check our WiFi Access Point Coverage calculator

Technical Aspects of Choosing Wi-Fi Access Points

When designing a scalable Wi-Fi network for large venues, the selection of Wi-Fi access points (APs) is a critical technical decision that directly impacts the network's performance, reliability, and scalability. Large venues, such as stadiums, airports, and convention centers, require robust and high-capacity APs capable of handling dense user environments.

Key Considerations

• Capacity and Performance: Choose access points that can support a large number of simultaneous connections without degradation in performance. This includes selecting models with multiple radios and high throughput capabilities.

• Advanced Features: Look for APs that offer advanced features like beamforming, MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), and adaptive RF management, which are crucial for optimizing performance in high-density environments. If you like technology read more about WiFi modulations and polarization

• Future-Proofing: Ensure that the chosen APs are compatible with emerging standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and have the capability to be upgraded to support future technologies, such as Wi-Fi 7. Read more about WiFi 7

By carefully selecting the right APs, the foundation is set for a network that can efficiently handle the demands of a large venue, both now and in the future.

Access Point Placement for Optimal Communication

The placement of access points is just as important as the choice of hardware. Proper placement ensures optimal communication between devices and the network, minimizing dead zones and interference while maximizing coverage.

Placement Strategies

• High-Density Areas: In large venues, certain areas will naturally attract more users, such as seating areas in stadiums or gates in airports. APs should be strategically placed in these areas to handle peak loads effectively.

• Avoiding Interference: APs should be placed to minimize interference from physical structures (like walls and metal objects) and electronic devices that could disrupt signals. Ensuring minimal overlap between coverage areas of different APs is also essential to prevent signal interference.

• Elevation and Angle: Placing APs at an appropriate height and angle can improve coverage and reduce interference. In some cases, ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted APs might be the best option to achieve optimal signal distribution.

Proper access point placement is key to ensuring that users experience consistent and reliable connectivity throughout the venue, regardless of where they are located.

Access Point Placement for Location-Based Services

In addition to providing connectivity, Wi-Fi networks in large venues can be leveraged to deliver advanced location-based services (LBS). These services rely on the strategic placement of APs to accurately determine the location of devices within the venue.

Optimizing for LBS:

• Triangulation and Trilateration: To enable accurate triangulation, APs should be placed in a manner that allows for overlapping coverage areas. This enables the system to calculate the precise location of a device by measuring the signal strength from multiple APs.
• Zoning and Mapping: Consider creating zones within the venue where LBS will be most valuable, such as retail areas, entry points, or event spaces. APs in these zones should be configured to provide granular location data, enabling services like wayfinding, targeted promotions, and occupancy tracking.

By optimizing AP placement for LBS, large venues can enhance the visitor experience through personalized services and improve operational efficiency.

In case you design a network not only for communication but also for location-based services please check Practices for WiFi Location-Based Services Configuration

Additional Services Built on Wi-Fi in Large Venues

In large venues, Wi-Fi is not just a connectivity solution; it serves as a platform for a range of additional services that enhance both user experience and venue operations. These services, built on top of the Wi-Fi network, can provide significant value to both the venue and its visitors.

Wi-Fi Marketing

• Captive Portals: Use captive portals to engage visitors as they connect to the network. These portals can be customized to display branded content, special offers, or surveys, creating a direct communication channel with users. Want to know more? Check What is a Captive Portal?
• Targeted Advertising: With data collected from the Wi-Fi network, venues can deliver targeted advertising based on user behavior and preferences, maximizing the relevance and impact of marketing efforts. 

Depending on the type of venue, there may be various additional marketing services. Read more in the dedicated articles:

• Stadium - WiFi for Stadiums: How to Create a Connected Venue
• Shopping mall - Implementing Linkyfi in a Shopping mall - a Simulation
• Airport - Airport WiFi Retail Revolution

Location-Based Services

• Wayfinding: Help visitors navigate large venues with ease by providing real-time directions based on their current location. This can improve the overall visitor experience and reduce congestion in certain areas.
• Asset Tracking: Use LBS to monitor the location of valuable assets within the venue, such as equipment or merchandise. This improves operational efficiency and reduces the risk of loss or theft.
• Crowd Management: By analyzing location data, venues can monitor crowd movements in real-time, allowing for better crowd management and ensuring safety during large events.

Here's a wayfinding deployment example for your reference:

Analytics and Insights

• User Behavior Analysis: Collect and analyze data on how visitors move through the venue, which areas they frequent, and how long they stay. This information can be used to optimize layout, improve services, and enhance the visitor experience.
• Operational Efficiency: Use data from the Wi-Fi network to streamline operations, such as adjusting staffing levels based on real-time visitor numbers or optimizing the placement of facilities like restrooms and concessions.

Key Takeaways

• Comprehensive Venue Assessment:

  • Total Surface Area: Measure all areas requiring coverage to estimate the number of access points needed.
  • GLA Focus: Identify high-traffic zones within the Gross Leasable Area for prioritized coverage.
  • Floorplan Analysis: Consider structural elements that may affect signal propagation when planning AP placement.
  • Venue-Specific Needs: Tailor the network design to the specific type of venue (stadiums, malls, airports) to meet unique demands.

• Technical Implementation:

  • Access Point Selection: Choose high-capacity, future-proof APs with advanced features like MU-MIMO and beamforming.
  • Optimal AP Placement: Strategically place APs to maximize coverage, minimize interference, and support high-density areas.
  • Support for Location-Based Services: Position APs to enable accurate device triangulation for enhanced services like wayfinding and asset tracking.

• Handling Peak Traffic:

  • User and Usage Estimation: Calculate maximum concurrent users and their network activities to ensure adequate capacity.
  • Scalability: Design the network to accommodate fluctuating traffic volumes, especially during events.

• Enhancing Services with Wi-Fi:

  • Wi-Fi Marketing: Implement captive portals and targeted advertising to engage visitors and promote offerings.
  • Location-Based Services: Offer wayfinding assistance, asset tracking, and crowd management to improve user experience and operational efficiency.
  • Analytics and Insights: Leverage network data to analyze user behavior, optimize layouts, and enhance overall venue operations.

By focusing on these critical aspects, large venues can deploy a scalable Wi-Fi network that not only provides reliable connectivity but also serves as a foundation for additional services that enhance visitor satisfaction and streamline operations.