Nokia has paired with Tampnet to modernize and expand its digital operations in the Gulf of Mexico (aka Gulf of America).

This partnership will see Nokia deploy its 5G technology across Tampnet’s entire footprint of 120 active base stations, plus extending coverage to 350-400 platforms, rigs, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, wind farms, and vessels.

Tampnet operates both private and public networks in the Gulf, and also manages critical subsea fiber that connects offshore assets to the mainland.

Nokia will provide its 5G AirScale radio access equipment to Tampnet.

The vendor notes that its kit will enable Tampnet to leverage capabilities such as real-time remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and scalable automation, while providing workers in the Gulf with increased safety and operational efficiency.

"With Nokia’s 5G technology, we are taking a significant step towards modernizing our offshore networks in the Gulf," said Arnt Erling Skavdal, CTO of mobile technology, Tampnet.

"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."

Founded in 2001, Tampnet operates offshore communication networks in the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, Canada, and other locations. It also installs and operates offshore 4G and 5G networks. Its network includes more than 5,400km (3,355 miles) of subsea fiber, 600,000 square km (231,661 square miles) of 4G/5G coverage, and more than 200 fully managed microwave links. The company, founded by Statoil from the bankruptcy of Enitel, has been owned by 3i Infrastructure and ATP since 2019.

Earlier this year, Tampnet partnered with Armada to deploy compute racks on offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. The company has also deployed private 5G at an offshore oil rig in Norway, and Private Multi-Access Edge Compute (PMEC) for oil and gas company Vår Energi's Jotun FPSO.