Tampnet to expand 5G offshore connectivity in the Gulf of Mexico using Nokia AirScale 5G radios
Tampnet, a global leader in offshore communications, is expanding its operations in the Gulf of Mexico and is now using Nokia AirScale 5G radios across its entire on-sea network of 120 active base stations, as well as extending coverage to 350-400 platforms, rigs, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, wind farms and vessels. While Telenor Maritime operates a 4G/5G-ready offshore mobile service for the oil and gas industry in the Norwegian section of the North Sea, Tampnet has spread its operations across several parts of the world, including off the coast of the U.S.
Building on the 2025 deployment of the world’s first fully autonomous private 5G edge network on an offshore production platform on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), this partnership extends that innovation to U.S. offshore, setting new benchmarks for connectivity, safety and digital transformation across the global offshore energy sector.
Art by midJourney for Fierce Network
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Arnt Erling Skavdal, CTO of Mobile Technology, Tampnet: “With Nokia’s 5G technology, we are taking a significant step towards modernizing our offshore networks in the Gulf. This investment will enable us to meet the evolving connectivity and automation needs of offshore industries, enhance worker safety and unlock new digital applications that were not possible before.”
The Gulf of Mexico is a strategic region for Tampnet, where the company operates both private and public networks and manages critical subsea fiber that connects offshore assets to the mainland. Tampnet’s infrastructure forms the digital backbone of the region’s offshore activity, delivering reliable ultra-low latency, high-availability connectivity that supports safer, smarter and more sustainable operations from site to shore.
Nokia’s 5G AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment will enable offshore industries to implement advanced capabilities including real-time telemetry and monitoring, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and scalable industrial automation. Personnel in the Gulf region will benefit from high-performance private wireless connectivity, which will enhance operational safety and drive significant efficiency gains.
Jeff Pittman, Head of North America Enterprise, Mobile Networks, Nokia: “Our collaboration with Tampnet demonstrates how Nokia’s private wireless solutions are enabling digital transformation in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Together, we are setting new standards for offshore connectivity that will deliver long-term value to energy producers and their workforce.”
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- Real-time remote monitoring: Onshore control centers can monitor offshore equipment and facilities in real time using vast networks of IoT sensors and high-definition video surveillance, reducing the need for physical site visits.
- AI-driven predictive maintenance: IoT sensors on critical infrastructure like pipelines, pumps, and wind turbines continuously stream performance and environmental data (e.g., vibration, temperature, pressure) over private 5G networks. AI analytics use this data to predict potential failures before they occur, minimizing costly downtime and extending asset lifespan.
- Scalable industrial automation: 5G provides the reliable, low-latency connectivity necessary for automated systems, including autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) in ports and robotic arms on platforms. This allows for complex, coordinated operations with minimal human intervention.
- Autonomous inspection with drones and robots: Drones and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors perform inspections of hazardous or hard-to-reach areas, such as flare stacks or wind turbine blades. 5G enables the real-time data transmission and remote control required for these operations, keeping personnel out of harm’s way.
- Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) support: Field workers can use AR devices for guided maintenance and troubleshooting, receiving real-time instructions and collaboration from experts onshore. VR is also used for training and detailed visualization of digital twins.
- Enhanced safety and crew communication: 5G-enabled safety systems, such as connected worker wearables (e.g., smart helmets, gas detectors), track personnel and environmental conditions in real time, providing instant alerts in case of incidents or hazards. This also facilitates reliable crew communication across vast operational zones.
- Remote operation of equipment: With 5G’s ultra-low latency, operators can precisely control heavy machinery and underwater robots from remote locations, improving efficiency and safety.
- Digital twins: The massive amounts of data collected via 5G networks feed into digital twin models of offshore assets (e.g., entire wind farms or rigs), allowing operators to simulate scenarios, optimize performance, and manage assets with unprecedented accuracy.
About Nokia: Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
About Tampnet: Tampnet provides first-class, high-capacity connectivity to the global energy sector, enabling digitalization, efficiency, and sustainability. By operating the world’s largest offshore network, Tampnet delivers reliable and scalable high-capacity, low-latency connectivity solutions that support safer, smarter and more sustainable operations from site to shore. Through continuous innovation and focus on reduction of carbon footprint, Tampnet revolutionises offshore operations, contributing to a more sustainable energy production landscape. The company operates offshore telecom infrastructure in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America). More than offshore energy installations, as well as a large number of mobile rigs and vessels, receive high-speed data communication by Tampnet.
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References:
https://www.nokia.com/industries/oil-and-gas/
https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/nokia-confirms-tampnet-5g-radio-deal
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