Ericsson has successfully designed and deployed an ATEX Zone 1-certified solution on an offshore site for Ooredoo Qatar’s enterprise customers. The solution, an ATEX-certified Ericsson Enclosure 6129, ensures safe operation of conventional radio access network (RAN) equipment in hazardous offshore environments.
ATEX, which stands for ATmosphere Explosible, refers to EU directives outlining safety requirements for equipment and workplaces in explosive atmospheres. A Zone 1 hazardous area is classified as a location where an explosive atmosphere may occasionally occur during normal operations, typically involving a mixture of air and flammable gases, vapours, or mist.
The Ericsson enclosure provides a secure environment for the operation of RAN equipment and the direct current power system, ensuring compliance with stringent offshore safety standards while maintaining reliable network performance and connectivity. This deployment enables Ooredoo Qatar to offer superior 4G network quality to its enterprise customers across both indoor and outdoor locations around offshore rigs.
The solution is also versatile enough to be adapted for other industries that require ATEX-certified equipment in challenging environments.
Hicham Siblini, Chief Technology & Infrastructure Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, commented, “This solution ensures compliance with safety measures while delivering exceptional network performance and reliability in challenging offshore environments.”
Charbel Abdallah, President of Ericsson Qatar, added, “We are proud to have collaborated with Ooredoo Qatar to design and deploy the first-ever ATEX Zone 1-certified solution in Qatar, providing a safe and reliable environment for the operation of radio access network equipment in the demanding offshore industry.”