Inmarsat Maritime has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aramco, to undertake a 5G “mesh” network trial that aims to provide high-bandwidth connectivity for Aramco’s offshore work in the Arabian Gulf.
In particular, the technology is designed to provide high-speed communication capabilities while meeting the demands of the region’s climate – including extreme heat, sandstorms, wind and water evaporation – thanks to 5G’s improved reliability in challenging weather conditions
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular networks, for a better mobile internet experience. Providing up to 100 times faster connectivity speeds than 4G and greater bandwidth, 5G is expected to dramatically enhance day-to-day experiences. For instance, to download a 2-hour high-definition movie, a user would need around 5 months with the 1G, 6 days with the 2G, 4 hours with the 3G, and 5 minutes with the 4G, but just 3 seconds with the 5G. It becomes understood that the 5G speed could transform industries, paving the way for services that we used to see as “futuristic”, such as e-health -translating into even tele-assisted surgical interventions-, as well as connected vehicles and traffic systems.
Further testing of the 5G mobile Integrated Access and Backhaul (mIAB) network and of Inmarsat Maritime’s specific developments will be conducted under the extreme weather conditions of the Arabian Gulf later this year.
As explained, ships operating further from the shore will be able to supplement ground-based 5G with satellite coverage, thanks to Inmarsat Maritime’s bonded network solution, which is already onboard more than 14,000 vessels worldwide.
This new 5G mesh technology will be a significant step in helping Aramco maximize site efficiency, improve sustainability, provide a better experience for crew and protect the business from cyber-attacks. By combining many proven technologies into one integrated ecosystem, our bonded network is a single solution that can meet all customer demands – no matter how challenging the environment.
..Ben Palmer OBE, President, Inmarsat Maritime, said.
By extending high speed connectivity to our remote and harsh offshore sites through 5G mesh technology, we aim to accelerate our plans to deploy advanced use cases under the corporate digital transformation vision. This is expected to help us further optimize our operations and improve the work environment for our operators.
..Nabil Al-Nuaim, Sr. VP Digital & Information Technology, Aramco said.
