Emergency Network Deployment Rescues 36-Hour AI Hackathon in Shoreditch

Overview

• Industry: Technology / Events / Artificial Intelligence
• Objective: Restore and stabilise high-speed internet for a 36-hour AI hackathon after a critical network failure, supporting 200 participants and intensive data demands.
• Context: The event brought together developers and researchers working on large-scale AI projects, relying on consistent connectivity for cloud access, software downloads, and collaborative development.
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Challenge

• Network Failure: The venue’s existing system collapsed mid-event, unable to handle sustained high throughput and concurrent connections.
• High Data Load: Participants were downloading multi-gigabyte software packages (up to 5 GB each), rapidly consuming available bandwidth and triggering repeated failures.
• Urgent Recovery Window: With only hours before evening sessions resumed, organisers needed a full replacement network solution — not a patch.
• Reputational Risk: The event’s success and the organisers’ relationship with sponsors and the venue were on the line.
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Solution

• Rapid Response Deployment: Received the call at 1 pm, our engineering team arrived onsite by 5 pm to assess conditions and begin installation.
• Full Network Build: Designed and deployed a dedicated high-capacity WiFi and wired network across both studio spaces, isolated from the failed in-house system.
• Fibre + 5G Integration: Leveraged the venue’s existing fibre for primary connectivity while delivering a bonded 1Gbps 5G failover for instant redundancy and zero downtime.
• Load Management: Configured intelligent routing and QoS to distribute bandwidth evenly, maintaining stable connectivity for hundreds of concurrent devices.
• Live Support: Provided on-site monitoring throughout the hackathon’s 36-hour duration, ensuring continuous uptime under heavy use.
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Outcome

• Zero Downtime After Deployment: The replacement network performed flawlessly for the remaining 28 hours of the event.
• High Performance Maintained: Consistent throughput even during peak download periods, supporting 200 developers and multiple large data transfers.
• Event Saved: Organisers avoided cancellation or reputational damage, with participants able to continue their projects without interruption.
• Operational Benchmark: Demonstrated the value of rapid-response event connectivity for high-bandwidth, mission-critical environments.
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Highlights

• Complete emergency network built and live within two hours.
• Bonded 1Gbps 5G failover ensuring uninterrupted fibre performance.
• Stable WiFi coverage for 200 participants across two large studio spaces.
• Continuous uptime and high throughput throughout a 36-hour AI hackathon.