Tampnet Expands Offshore Connectivity with Nokia 5G in the Gulf of Mexico

Tampnet, a global leader in offshore communications, has announced a significant expansion of its 5G network capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico by deploying Nokia AirScale 5G radios. This development will modernize the company’s extensive on-sea network of 120 active base stations. Additionally, Tampnet’s enhanced coverage will extend to 350-400 platforms, rigs, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, wind farms, and vessels, setting a new benchmark for offshore connectivity and digital transformation in the energy sector.

Revolutionizing Offshore Networks with Next-Gen 5G Capabilities

Building on its 2025 milestone deployment of the first fully autonomous private 5G edge network on the Norwegian continental shelf, Tampnet, in collaboration with Nokia, is now expanding its technological innovation to the Gulf of Mexico. This step forward addresses the evolving connectivity needs of offshore industries while promoting safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Nokia’s 5G AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) ensures reliable, low-latency connectivity across Tampnet’s infrastructure, enabling advanced features such as real-time telemetry, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and scalable automation for offshore operations.

Arnt Erling Skavdal, CTO of Mobile Technology at Tampnet, emphasized the transformative potential of Nokia’s 5G solutions: “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.” These advancements will not only improve operational efficiency but also support Tampnet’s commitment to safer and smarter energy production practices.

The Gulf of Mexico: A Strategic Hub for Advanced Offshore Communications

The Gulf of Mexico represents a vital region for Tampnet, where it operates both private and public networks while maintaining critical subsea fiber connections between the mainland and offshore installations. Tampnet’s digital infrastructure serves as a backbone for offshore industries in the Gulf, ensuring ultra-low latency and high-availability connectivity. These capabilities support safer and more efficient operations and enable the seamless transfer of data for monitoring and management. By integrating Nokia’s 5G technology, Tampnet is empowering offshore energy producers to adopt cutting-edge solutions that drive business transformation.

According to Jeff Pittman, Head of North America Enterprise for Mobile Networks at 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.” This partnership aligns with Tampnet’s vision for a more connected and sustainable offshore energy sector.

Driving Innovation and Sustainability in Offshore Energy

Tampnet’s strategic partnership with Nokia underscores a shared commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging the power of 5G technology, Tampnet enables energy producers to optimize operations, reduce risks, and minimize their carbon footprint. Beyond enhancing worker safety and productivity, these advancements contribute to the global energy sector’s broader goals of transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable practices. This initiative supports Tampnet’s reputation as a pioneer in offshore communications solutions, offering high-speed data connectivity to vessels, rigs, and renewable energy installations worldwide.

As the offshore energy sector continues to embrace digital transformation, Tampnet’s innovative solutions are positioning the Gulf of Mexico as a model for modern connectivity. From scalable automation to real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, Tampnet and Nokia are redefining the possibilities for offshore operations while delivering strategic value to energy producers and their teams.