Aerelink Connects Rock In the Park Fans

Thousands of music fans had their experience at a major North West rock concert transformed thanks to a Cheshire technology company.

Halton based Aerelink specialises in integrated wireless communications and was appointed by Preston Council to provide the wireless infrastructure behind this Summer’s Rock In The Park concert in Preston which allowed thousands of fans who couldn’t get tickets to hear the bands performing live on Rock FM radio.

This was the first Rock In The Park concert run jointly by Preston City Council, Rock FM and Preston Business Improvement District. It boasted a big name line-up featuring artists which included X Factor stars JLS, Peter Andre, Soul legend Beverley Night and the current chart topper Tinchy Strider. The event attracted a crowd of 15,000 people who were randomly chosen from over 50,000 online applicants. Aerelink installed,a temporary wireless infrastructure that allowed Preston City Council staff access to its Town Hall Data Centre, the ability for the Guild Hall Box Office staff to sell online tickets for their events and a link directly from the stage to Rock FM’s fixed line for broadcast which allowed thousands more to tune in to the station and listen to the concert live.

Director of Aerelink Ian Maynard said: “We were delighted to be involved in Rock in the Park. It was a superb event and it’s great that our technology made a difference to so many people. The temporary wireless infrastructure we installed meant people were able to access important information and services in an area where it wouldn’t normally be accessible.”

One of the facilities running off the temporary wireless infrastructure was the Preston City Council Citizen Zone Vehicle – a converted 7.5 tonne truck which is an interactive vehicle which can act as a mobile office/meeting room packed with the latest technology. This normally provides a free internet access zone and access to services provided by Preston City Council to citizens and other organisations from locations in and around the city using the Councils extensive wireless infrastructure. During the event, the Police and Security staff used the vehicle as a temporary remote headquarters.

Allan Orient said: “Aerelink delivered the solutions we needed in record time together with a first class service. They have unrivalled expertise and their technology was critical to our staff having access to vital information and to Rock FM’s broadcast.”

Earlier this year Aerelink was awarded the maintenance contract for Preston City Council’s external wireless communication network.