Best ways to stay connected with festival phone signal

Rhyl Journal

10 hours ago

The inevitable challenge of patchy mobile reception can be a tough one as well as keeping your device charged and safe.
That's why experts at USwitch have shared their tips on how to stay festival savvy with your phone.
Due to overcrowding and limited network capacity, phone signals can often drop out - just like at concerts and large sporting events, too.
Firstly, check to see if your festival has a partnered with a provider.
Mobile providers usually set up extra temporary 4G and 5G masts at the festival site, which works like a mobile phone booster, just on much larger scale.
'These masts mean that the network can handle more people using data, making calls and sending messages at once,' Uswitch mobiles expert, Ernest Doku said.
Some festivals partner with a mobile provider to provide enhanced connectivity to attendees, for instance, Glastonbury is partnered with Vodaphone.
So you could use a VOXI or Lebara SIM as they run off Vodafone's network.
Mr Doku continued: 'It's simple and cheap to make use of this hack even if you're with a different provider.
'You can buy a one-month rolling eSIM for as little as £6 for 5GB of data and you can cancel at any time, although you will need to pay for a month minimum.
'Plus, eSIMs are entirely digital, allowing for quick setup, and most phones support having two numbers simultaneously, so you don't have to cancel your existing plan if you don't want to.
'You can even do this hack for free if you don't mind waiting until you're at the festival.
'For example, Three and Vodafone offer free eSIM trails at festivals they collaborate with.'
Other tips include:
USwitch suggests looking into a 'festival phone' that can be an older device or low-cost 4G SIM free one to make sure you're in touch with friends if you lose them.
If you're going to a multi-day festival, battery packs are a must when packing for a festival.
For around £20, you can get your hands on a 20,000mAh power bank with more than enough juice to charge a smartphone multiple times.
Make sure your phone's geo-location is turned on. It'll help your friends find you quickly if you get separated.
Write your mates' phone numbers on a small bit of paper. If your phone dies or goes missing, you can borrow someone else's and still get in touch.
Most festivals will have an official app which will include a wealth of information to help you get the most out of your experience.
You can use it to check set times, plan your day, and avoid clashes between must-see acts.
Recommended reading:
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It is advised that you invest in a phone lanyard to make sure it is always attached to you.
It's also suggested to put a small, simple lock on your backpack or bag, at least on the pocket with your phone and wallet.
Avoid keeping it in easily accessible pockets, especially back pockets, as this makes it an easy target for theft.