Case Study: Tampnet achieves world’s first offshore LTE network with Huawei

Tampnet - Customer Case Study

Tampnet, a Norwegian telecommunications operator serving the North Sea oil and gas industry, needed a more efficient way to deliver communications to drilling platforms and FPSOs. Its existing setup relied on expensive microwave systems, satellite voice links, and even helicopter-delivered hard drives, while also facing harsh weather, limited installation space, outdoor equipment constraints, and radio interference.

Huawei implemented an end-to-end LTE communication system using DBS3900 distributed base stations, BBUs, RRUs, and high-gain CPE terminals with external antennas. Huawei also provided ATEX-compliant explosion-proof equipment and secured dedicated 800 MHz spectrum, enabling voice, data, and video services across 12.5 to 31 miles (20 to 50 km). The result was a robust offshore network delivering 1 Mbit/s upstream and 2 Mbit/s downstream, with coverage for platforms, tankers, FPSOs, and passing vessels, designed for harsh maritime conditions.

Tampnet