Building the World’s Largest 4G Offshore Network
Statoil has chosen Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) to deploy and operate its high speed 4G-network on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Statoil and MCP have signed a six-year contract with an option to extend for another four years. With that, MCP will immediately start building the world’s largest 4G network at sea.
Statoil will benefit from high-speed mobile coverage on all of its 34 platforms on the NCS. This will improve communications between platforms, rigs and supply-vessels. Initially 15 rigs, two light well intervention vessels (LWI), two subsea inspection and maintenance vessels (IMR) and 50 supply ships will be covered. High capacity, stability and availability will promote opportunities for integrated operations.
“Mobile operators and technology have through time, transformed how businesses operate. A state of the art high speed 4G network will facilitate even more innovation and efficiency improvement in the oil- and gas-industry,” said MCP’s CEO Frode Støldal. “This contract is a significant milestone in our offshore strategy where we apply an industrial approach, standardized infrastructure and a long-term plan for further expansion.”
The agreement includes existing and new oilfields operated by Statoil. In addition to opening up for expansion into the UK Continental Shelf and other areas of Statoil’s international operation, the contract strongly supports MCP’s strategy in becoming the world’s leading maritime operator.
“Statoil is the leading operator on the NCS. The agreement is an important contribution in enabling a significant modernization of the mobile network and we are looking forward to cooperate with the company,” Støldal said.
Telenor owned MCP specialize in communications solutions for shipping and offshore installations. MCP already owns 16 base stations on NCS that will be upgraded to high speed 4G during 2015. As new oil fields are developed, coverage and capacity will follow. An additional benefit for the maritime businesses such as merchant marine and fisheries is the general availability of mobile communications for all at sea.
MCP has since its inception in 2002 had extensive technology cooperation with Ericsson. Charlotta Sund, Head of Ericsson Northern Europe & Central Asia, said, “As a driving force behind the ‘Networked Society’ and a key player within the global telecommunications industry, we are proud to cooperate with MCP to bring high-speed 4G services to Statoil and the NCS. We have a long term focus on our partnership with MCP and the user experiences offered to their customers.”