ExxonMobil's use of hybrid 5G highlights the potential outlook for offshore connectivity

April 29, 2020 | Case Study

Providing connectivity to offshore drilling platforms 300 km off the coast of Newfoundland is a daunting task. Satellite technology is often too expensive, with intolerable latency delays. ExxonMobil Canada partnered with Hibernia Management and Development Company to solve the problem with a hybrid deployment of redundant fiber cables and 5G cell sites, stationed on a primary platform. The 5G coverage enables surrounding Hebron and Hibernia platforms and ships to take advantage of 5G connectivity as well as provide low latency and high bandwidth for the well on the primary platform.