Cambium enables WiFi Connectivity at RIAT - military air show

Cambium Networks, a global provider of wireless broadband networking infrastructure solutions, has provided Wi-Fi connectivity to both organisers and thousands of spectators at the world’s largest military air show – The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire last week.

To deliver the most comprehensive Wi-Fi in the history of the event, Cambium Networks provided more than 100 of its highly reliable and robust outdoor and indoor Access Points across 35 locations across the site.

Cambium Networks’ cnMaestro™ also provided end-to-end network control which enabled seamless device management of Cambium Networks’ cnPilot E501S Enterprise Outdoor and cnPilot e500 Enterprise Outdoor Access Points which were placed around the showground to provide end-to-end Wi-Fi connectivity in public areas as well as on the runways, where coverage is usually unavailable due to the inability to lay fibre.

Due to the no single point of failure design of the network which can overcome interference challenges, thousands of spectators were able to simultaneously use the service at any one time without disruption, enabling them to download, upload and stream content live from the air show.

RAF Fairford has been using Cambium Networks’ solutions for over ten years for its core networking requirements and it was the partner of choice to spearhead the deployment of its Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) solutions at the airfield.

“In addition to connecting spectators, the network was also used by staff to scan and validate passes on entry of the show via tablets,” said Rob Hancock, Communications & Information Systems Manager, The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises. “This was of particular importance to RIAT, after we faced connectivity issues last year which resulted in up to three hours of queues.

“The bandwidth, availability and criticality requirements of RIAT dramatically increased during the show. I don’t believe we could have supported the communications needed without Cambium Networks’ PTP, PMP or Wi-Fi equipment. The system worked brilliantly and carried an amazing amount of communications traffic while remaining unbelievably reliable.”

The price and simplicity of the configuration of Cambium Networks’ equipment, which provides a single pane of glass for management of end-user Wi-Fi and backhaul services also played a part in why RAF Fairford chose Cambium Networks.

In addition, Cambium Networks deployed its Indoor cnPilot e410 Access Point to deliver connectivity to hospitality suites and marquees across the grounds, as well as its PTP600 series Point to Point link and PMP450 Point to MultiPoint solutions.

Cambium Networks also hosted its UK Channel Partner Event 2019 in the VIP marquee at the RIAT showground on Friday 19th July.

“We were delighted to be able to provide reliable, scalable connectivity to RAF Fairford and its guests in attendance, which enabled them to share photos and update their social media live from the spectacular event,” said Dan McCarthy, Sales Manager UK, Ireland and Nordics at Cambium Networks. “In light of our great partnership with RAF Fairford, it was only natural that we held our annual partner event at the show, which provided a unique setting for our partners from across the globe, and highlighted what is possible with the latest and greatest Wi-Fi technology.”