Operator Ooredoo Qatar has partnered with Ericsson, which will supply and implement a 4G network for Ooredoo’s oil and gas enterprise customers. The network will be deployed offshore to connect oil and gas enterprise facilities with arriving ships.
As Ooredoo Qatar’s radio access network (RAN) supplier, Ericsson will work closely with the service provider to enhance network infrastructure and enable reliable connectivity offshore. The partners will deploy Ericsson Radio System equipment to establish offshore connectivity between the oil and gas enterprise customers’ facilities and ships. The solution will also serve Ooredoo Qatar’s commercial users in the area.
Thani Al Malki, Chief Business Officer of Ooredoo Qatar, says: “Our collaboration with Ericsson on this project allows us to leverage our extensive network infrastructure, modernised with Ericsson's technology and expertise as our RAN supplier, to provide our oil and gas enterprise customers with a cutting-edge offshore 4G network."
To meet the demanding and complex working conditions in an offshore oil and gas environment, Ericsson is designing a special enclosure for its radio equipment that is ATEX Zone 2 certified. Meeting this ATEX (ATmosphere Explosible) standard will ensure that the equipment can manage the challenging operating conditions and the safety requirements of the oil and gas offshore industry, while still providing reliable network performance and connectivity.
A proof of concept (PoC) for the solution has already been deployed on one site, with major execution planned in the near future. Ericsson says this project represents a unique use case in the oil and gas industry and demonstrates the power of collaboration with communication service providers to deliver tailored solutions for enterprise customers.