April 2001

More bandwidth for your buck

How to get the best pricing on high-speed connectivity

By Cathy Chatfield-Taylor

To meet the bandwidth-intensive demands of more than 2,000 exhibitors at the 2001 International CES, Jan. 6–9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Smart City Networks built wired and wireless networks throughout 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space. Despite placing advance order forms in exhibitor kits, walk-up orders comprised 20 percent of their Internet service requests.

“That put a lot of pressure on my staff to provide the necessary equipment and bandwidth,” says Paul Ashley, President of Smart City Networks, a Las Vegas-based event technology company that provides telecommunications and Internet services at 16 convention centers. “We configure the networks to ensure we have the right capacity. If we have to scramble to accommodate last-minute orders, it’s more costly. And it’s a lot of stress on show management, the building and exhibitors.” 

Early communication can save money and reduce the stress. That means understanding the service, asking the right questions and placing orders early. 

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may be exclusive, non-exclusive or preferred. If speed isn’t a factor, order phone lines for dial-up connections. An exclusive or preferred ISP has the advantage of knowing the facility’s infrastructure and having full-time staff available for 24/7 on-site technical support. Colorado Convention Center, for example, contracts with preferred provider Priority Networks, Boise, ID, for one-stop ordering. The benefit, says Technology Manager Debbie Olivas, is getting worry-free service. 
Using your own ISP may be best for complex networks. “If show management brings my company to every show, they know the kind of service we provide, and we know what they’re trying to do,” says David Langford, Director of Data Services for Smart City, which counts COMDEX among its clients. 

A full-service contractor can order the circuit — an ISDN line (128 Kbps), T-1 (1.5 Mbps) or T-3 (44 Mbps, also called DS3) — from a local carrier, provide connectivity, configure data transmission networks, install and test equipment, and support the event on site. To assess a show’s needs and deliver appropriate service, ISPs need to know: how many devices will be hooked up, how will the devices be used, and whether each device needs its own IP (Internet Protocol) address. 

This information determines how much bandwidth and how many connections will be needed, as well as whether wireless service is an option, if it’s available at the facility. Packages may have private or shared connections, data transmission speeds ranging from 3 Mbps to 100 Mbps, and include one to 250 IP addresses. 

But cost shouldn’t be the deciding factor in choosing an ISP. “If you compare rate cards, you won’t see more than a 10–15 percent variance in the costs,” says Ashley. 

“It’s the intangibles that are key — Do they have the equipment, will it work and, if something happens, is there someone on site who can solve the problem immediately?”

Cathy Chatfield-Taylor writes about technology solutions for the meeting, convention and exposition industry. E-mail: cathy@cc-tunlimited.com 

• Purchase just what is needed. The more bandwidth, the higher the price.
  
• Share a connection –– a dedicated line costs about six times more.
  
• Buy IP addresses by the block and pay a fraction of the price per address.
  
• Bring equipment. There’s added cost for servers, routers, etc.
  
• Order hardwire drops at least 21 days in advance for an early-bird discount.
  
• Go wireless and save more than 30 percent.