The agreement will see the continued development of OneWeb’s low latency, high-speed connectivity capabilities and will expand its customer base in the offshore sector.
The trials will test and evaluate network capabilities in offshore energy environments and will initially focus on delivering services to offshore wind farms, rigs and platforms in the North Sea and then the Gulf of Mexico.
Once the service is fully online in 2023, Tampnet customers will benefit from OneWeb’s “high speed, low-latency flexible services that have the potential to continue transforming the efficiency of data use in offshore operations” according to the company.
OneWeb’s Head of Maritime Carole Plessy said: “Connectivity services have a major role to play in de-risking offshore operations and improving efficiencies that lead to cost savings and a more positive environmental impact.
“Working with Tampnet as a distribution and trial partner will enable us to accelerate bringing a new generation of much-needed connectivity to the offshore market to help them achieve their goals and build resilience for the future.”
The satellite company’s latest partnership comes just as it announced a $200 million deal to reach one billion people in the Middle East and Africa.
OneWeb says it is seeing an increasing demand for fast, flexible and affordable connectivity solutions from LEO satellites and amongst offshore companies. The company adds that its service offering compliments Tampnet’s business offerings and the partnership will enable Tampnet to expand its footprint with its customers.
Trygve Hagevik, Tampnet CCO, said: “For twenty years, Tampnet has been at the forefront of innovation to improve and deliver reliable, low-latency, high-speed digital connectivity within the offshore and maritime industries, using technologies such as subsea fibre, microwave and LTE.
“LEO services as a technology complements the Tampnet business model, particularly in terms of faster geographic expansion, LTE backhaul, and useable backup solutions for existing clients.
"Partnering with a pioneer such as OneWeb reflects our ambitions towards responding to our customers’ requests and supporting the transformational impact that LEO technology can make towards increasing our footprint and our customers’ operational performance.”
