Some 87% of festival-goers now see reliable on-site connectivity as an essential part of their festival experience, new research from Vodafone has revealed.
According to the telecom giant’s Connected Crowd Report, smartphones are now playing a central role at festivals, helping attendees stay connected with friends, discover new artists, navigate busy sites and share moments online in real time.
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Eight in 10 (80%) attendees revealed connectivity matters because it allows them to stay in touch with friends and family both onsite and back home.
Finding people in large crowds has become one of the biggest challenges at modern festivals, the research revealed, with digital tools including group chats (44%), phone calls (43%) and live location sharing (40%) now considered as essential as the festival wristband itself.
Alongside this, sharing the festival experience beyond the event itself is also becoming increasingly common, with 66% saying they have video-called friends or family during a set to share the moment in real time.
A Vodafone spokesperson said: “At Vodafone, our ambition has always been to connect people to the UK’s biggest moments, on The Nation’s Network.
“We’ve seen data usage continue to grow across the festivals we support, reflecting the increasingly important role connectivity plays in the festival experience.
“Whether it’s helping people stay in touch with friends in a busy crowd, navigate the site, or share unforgettable moments as they happen, reliable connectivity has become an essential part of making the most of a festival. That’s why we’re committed to providing the best possible network experience, so festival goers can stay connected and enjoy every moment.”
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