EE will be testing a 5G-powered WiFi at Glastonbury this summer. It will be the first time this technology is used at a UK festival and comes ahead of it being rolled out to other cities and events later this year.
Five temporary masts will be placed around the 1,100-acre site in Somerset, allowing festival-goers access to 3G, 4G and, for the first time, 5G networks.
The 5G internet speed will double that of 4G. Pete Jeavons, EE and BT’s marketing and communications director said,
“Smartphones have become a festival must-have with more and more data being consumed at Glastonbury Festival.
“We are committed to building a network powerful enough to cope with this huge demand. With the introduction of 5G this year, we are able to trial this new technology at Worthy Farm and make history as the UK’s first 5G-connected festival.”
Emily Eavis, the festival co-organiser, commented,
“We’re extremely pleased to have EE back again, providing the best possible network for our rural site. It’s great that we’re going to be one of the first places in the UK to offer 5G.”
A decent WiFi connection is vital to brands, suppliers and sponsors at festivals, as well as the festival organiser themselves, to maximise audience engagement.
Music fans will once again have access to the EE Recharge Tent so they can stay connected throughout the weekend. Open from Thursday 10am to 10pm, the EE Recharge Tent will have more chargers than ever before and is free to all, regardless of network. Wireless and USB C charging stations will charge compatible phones in under thirty minutes.
Those that don’t want to miss a minute of the action can purchase a Juice Tube Power Bar (£20) offering one full charge at the EE Recharge Tent or at EE.co.uk in the run up to the festival. When it runs flat, Juice Tube Power Bars can be swapped for free once a day for a fully charged one at the EE Recharge Tent or EE Exchange Cabin, meaning festival goers can charge their phone on the move.
The official Glastonbury 2019 app, developed in partnership with EE, will be available to download in May, allowing festival-goers to plan their line up and find their way around the site. More information on the official app will be announced in the coming weeks.
