Viasat’s Inmarsat Maritime has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi oil and gas giant Aramco to conduct what is said to be the world’s first 5G mesh network trial at the Saudi energy company’s offshore project in the Arabian Gulf. .
The goal is to enable high-speed communications on the oil and gas giant’s offshore projects, and the company recently made its first international investment in LNG to help ensure a stable and inclusive energy transition. An important step has been taken. This is in line with the company’s sustainability agenda and goal of net zero by 2050.
As 5G becomes more reliable even in harsh conditions, the technology could help overcome the region’s climate-related challenges, such as extreme heat, sandstorms, wind, and water evaporation.
The MoU was signed following a successful test of water propagation of millimeter wave (mmWave) signals in Rutland waters, UK, in February 2024. Further tests will be conducted later this year to see if the technology is compatible with the Arabian Gulf’s harsh climate.
Successful testing of 5G mobile integrated access and backhaul (mIAB) networks is expected to allow signals to reach far beyond the 1 km range previously thought to be possible, making mIAB at sea There will be a revolution in development. The highest one.
“By extending high-speed connectivity to remote locations and harsh offshore sites through 5G mesh technology, we aim to accelerate plans to deploy advanced use cases based on enterprise digital transformation visions. , we expect that our operations will be further optimized and the working environment of our operators will be improved.” Said Nabil Al NuaimSenior Vice President of Digital and Information Technology at Aramco.
The 5G mesh network will enable Aramco to further perform remote operations such as intelligent maintenance, monitoring, and metering using IoT sensors. In addition, there will be expanded opportunities to use high technology, such as augmented reality headsets and staff support tasks with new safety and security features, which could save energy and reduce costs.
Al-Nuaim pointed out that: “Our collaboration with Viasat to conduct the world’s first sea trials of 5G mesh technology is a testament to our commitment to developing and deploying advanced technology. We look forward to collaborating with technology leaders and leveraging our operational experience in the field. is a key element for successful technology development.”
Inmarsat Maritime advances maritime digitalization, with more than 14,000 ships worldwide equipped with its bonded network solutions. The company’s advanced ground infrastructure is equipped with cybersecurity and data protection mechanisms, and ships involved in maritime operations can take advantage of satellite coverage.
In this regard, Inmarsat Maritime President, ben palmer Highlighting: “Our technology provides the elements for truly bespoke solutions, and our exciting new partnership with Aramco is the latest example of this. This new 5G mesh technology will help Aramco maximize on-site efficiency and It’s an important step in improving your capabilities, providing a better experience for your crew, and protecting your business from cyber-attacks.
“By combining many proven technologies into one integrated ecosystem, our combined network is a single solution that can meet all customer demands, no matter how challenging the environment.”
