In one of the harshest operational environments on the planet, connectivity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Tampnet has signed a five-year agreement with Island Drilling AS to deliver a fully managed private 5G network solution to the semi-submersible offshore rig, Island Innovator.

This next-generation communication stack includes LEO satellite connectivity, North Sea LTE, and microwave/fiber backhaul—all orchestrated by real-time AI to ensure seamless data flow across the rig.

Connectivity Challenges on Offshore Rigs in Harsh Environments

Operating in the North Sea, Island Innovator faces extreme weather, complex drilling operations, and logistical limitations. Traditional offshore connectivity often falls short due to high latency, limited bandwidth, and unreliable handovers between access technologies.

These gaps hinder key digitalization goals like predictive maintenance, remote inspections, and data analytics, while also placing constraints on worker safety and efficiency.

Tampnet’s Multi-Layered Private 5G and Edge Connectivity Solution

Tampnet’s solution combines multiple connectivity layers and intelligence:

• Hybrid Backhaul: LEO satellites (Starlink and OneWeb), North Sea LTE, and its proprietary T-FAST microwave/fiber network

• Private 4G/5G Network: Fully managed with mobility support for personnel, sensors, and autonomous equipment

• Edge-ready architecture: For real-time processing, AR/VR applications, and remote video support

• AI-Driven Orchestration: Automatically chooses the best path for each data packet, ensuring QoS and low latency

The solution is backed by Tampnet’s 24/7 Network Operations Centres and comes with guaranteed SLAs, making it a turnkey service for offshore operators.

Proven Track Record in Global Offshore Connectivity

Tampnet’s track record includes more than 350 offshore deployments across rigs and vessels globally. Its infrastructure spans the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Canadian waters.

Notably, Tampnet recently enabled private edge computing on the Jotun FPSO for Vår Energi—an industry first that underscores Tampnet’s leadership in offshore digitalization.

Best-in-Class Tech Stack: Private 5G, LEO, and Edge Compute

The Island Innovator deployment brings together a best-in-class tech stack:

• Radio and Core: 5G components from Nokia and HPE

• Backhaul: LEO satellites for low latency; Tampnet LTE for robust regional coverage; T-FAST antennas for seamless carrier aggregation

• AI Traffic Management: Ensures optimal routing of mission-critical data

• Edge Compute: Local processing power on the rig to support AR/VR, digital twins, and predictive analytics

Operational, Safety, and Automation Benefits of the Deployment

• Smarter Operations: Real-time access to operational data enables faster decision-making

• Improved Safety: Reliable connectivity supports remote expert assistance and automation of inspections

• Mobility & Automation: Wireless coverage for sensors, drones, and workers boosts efficiency

• Future-Proofing: Edge-ready design enables scalability for AI, IoT, and advanced digital services

• Always On: Redundant backhaul paths ensure uptime even in rough seas

Redefining Offshore Digitalization with AI and Edge Technology

This deployment is a milestone for offshore private networks. It demonstrates how combining satellite, LTE, and fiber with AI and Edge computing can enable real-time, data-centric operations in even the most remote environments.

The success of projects like this could reshape how the offshore drilling and energy sectors approach digitalization, workforce safety, and sustainability.

Tampnet as End-to-End Managed Connectivity Provider

Tampnet is more than a connectivity provider—it delivers end-to-end managed services. From backhaul integration to AI orchestration and SLA guarantees, Tampnet owns the performance responsibility.

Its network operations and field engineering teams ensure 24/7 monitoring, rapid issue resolution, and continuous optimization.

Strategic Partnerships Powering Offshore 5G and Satellite Integration

The deployment leverages key technology providers:

• Nokia: For RAN infrastructure

• HPE: For core network and orchestration

• Starlink & OneWeb: For LEO satellite backhaul
  These partnerships enhance system resilience and ensure global scalability for Island Drilling’s future projects.

Deployment Status and Q4 2025 Readiness

The communication stack is under deployment and on track to be fully operational before Q4 2025, aligning with Island Innovator’s next North Sea campaign.

• Contract Signed: August 2025

• Deployment Phase: Q3 2025

• Go-Live: Q4 2025, before rig reactivation
  This schedule ensures that the digital infrastructure will be ready for the next drilling campaign.

Leadership Endorsements on Digital Transformation at Sea

Trygve Hagevik, CCO at Tampnet, emphasized the strategic importance: “A well-connected rig is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s the backbone for remote operations and data-driven decision-making.”

Roger Simmons, CEO of Island Drilling AS, added:“Tampnet’s multi-layer network and private 5G capability will let our crews work smarter and safer while enabling our rig for the digital future.”