Robust Infrastructure Deployment
With New Delhi gearing up to host the significant AI Impact Summit on February 16th, a pivotal event designed to showcase India's AI prowess and future
strategies on a global stage, telecommunications provider Airtel undertook a comprehensive overhaul of its local digital framework. Recognizing the immense pressure high-profile attendees and demanding technological demonstrations would place on network resources, the company concentrated on fortifying its infrastructure to provide uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity. This initiative was crucial for ensuring that all keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and AI demonstrations proceeded without any technical hitches. The backbone of this enhanced network relies on a sophisticated, redundant hardware setup specifically designed to preempt any potential service interruptions. A key component of this strategy involves the implementation of 'four-way protected fibre paths' across all summit venues. This means that even if one data pathway encounters an issue, data flow can seamlessly switch to one of the three other redundant paths, guaranteeing continuous service delivery and maintaining the integrity of event proceedings.
Enhanced Coverage Strategy
The commitment to delivering a superior connectivity experience extended beyond the primary fiber backbone. To effectively manage the anticipated high user density and data consumption, Airtel strategically augmented the network with a substantial number of small cells and outdoor sites. Specifically, 55 small cells were strategically positioned throughout the Bharat Mandapam complex, the primary venue, ensuring robust signal strength and capacity within the core event areas. Complementing these, an additional 12 outdoor sites were deployed in the vicinity to bolster coverage and address potential signal gaps. This dense deployment of small cells is critical for maintaining consistent 5G performance, especially in environments where numerous devices are simultaneously accessing the network. The network expansion was not limited to the main halls; it also encompassed all transit points, including routes used by delegates for entry and exit. Existing network sites were meticulously optimized and enhanced to support the increased traffic flow associated with these critical access and egress corridors, ensuring a seamless experience from the moment delegates arrived until their departure.
Proactive Monitoring and Support
Ensuring the continuous operation of this advanced network infrastructure required a vigilant and proactive approach to monitoring and support. Airtel established a dedicated 24/7 operational team tasked with overseeing all aspects of the network's performance throughout the summit. This round-the-clock surveillance included the close monitoring of all roaming links to guarantee that visitors utilizing the Airtel 5G Plus network would experience a superior and completely uninterrupted service. Prior to the event, extensive site surveys were conducted, which played a pivotal role in achieving comprehensive 5G coverage. These surveys enabled the identification and elimination of potential dead zones, ensuring blanket coverage across the entire event vicinity. The strategy involved not only dense small-cell deployment but also the provision of dedicated fiber backhaul connections, reinforcing the network's capacity and reliability. This meticulous planning and ongoing vigilance were instrumental in creating a robust and dependable communication environment for the summit.
Surge Capacity and Contingency Planning
Recognizing the unpredictable nature of high-profile events, particularly those featuring live AI demonstrations and extensive data streaming, Airtel meticulously prepared for potential extreme usage scenarios and significant data spikes. To address this, the company proactively built substantial surge capacity into its network architecture. This capability was further reinforced by the establishment of a dedicated 'war room' and the presence of round-the-clock, on-site network experts. This specialized command center was equipped to manage peak traffic demands in real time, allowing for immediate adjustments and troubleshooting. The deployment of this high-capacity infrastructure, coupled with immediate expert intervention capabilities, underscores Airtel's commitment to delivering a world-class connectivity experience for the Summit, ensuring that technological demands would not impede the event's success. This comprehensive approach to capacity planning and incident management provided a critical safety net, guaranteeing that delegates could rely on seamless connectivity for all their communication and engagement needs.
