When planning for an event that requires internet at a rented venue, it is very important to know exactly what you actually need and the rules and regulations of the venue you are entering into an agreement with. It is a step that many planners neglect and may cost thousands of dollars to correct at the last minute, if it is even possible to accomplish with the available bandwidth. The key questions needed to be asked are as follows:

1)  How much bandwidth do you require? If you are a single computer and displaying a simple web page or need access to email, any venue can get you the access you need. If you are having a video conference, using bandwidth intensive web based applications, or if you are having a training lab with 30 people, your needs are quite different.

2)  How many connections do you need? If you have 5 computers, you need to relay this information to the venue. Many offer networking solutions to assist, and also charge you for each computer using the internet. Do not assume you can order 1 connection, bring in your own router, and share it wired or wirelessly inside your booth. In some instances, you may find the venue will turn your connection off during the event until you pay for all the connections being used.

3)  How much bandwidth does the venue offer? Common types are:

1. ADSL: Many hotels offer a simple 6Mbit ADSL type connection, which offer up to 6Mbit download rate, and up to 800Kbit upload rate. This is fine for a single user, but a web training session of 30 people would make this connection act like very slow dial up!
2. ADSL2: Still rather new and offers the same speeds as ADSL, but the download rate is up to 21Mbit. This connection is good for a class of 10 – 20 who are only downloading and not publishing work to the internet.
3. T3: The common connection in large convention centers. This is by far the best connection as it offers extremely high rates of transfers, both for downloading and uploading. It can easily handle hundreds of connections.
4. 3G or EVDO: This is the internet stick offered by Telus, Rogers, Bell, etc. A fine solution for a single user but be sure your portable internet works at the location you wish to use it and that it does not violate any regulations the venue may have.

Obviously if you are renting internet at a venue, it is important to the success of the event you are planning. It is an expensive part of your event, but when you ask the right questions to both your users and the venue, you can at least be sure to pay for only what you need, and be confident that you ordered the correct connections.