Ashtead advancing offshore communication technology
30/05/2025
With the offshore industry continuing to experience network coverage, latency and bandwidth challenges affecting operational efficiency, it was essential for the next generation in mesh technology to deliver significant technological improvements to address these challenges and set a new benchmark in advanced wireless communication and private network connectivity.
Building on the strong foundation of Seatronics SeaMESH, AT-MESH from Ashtead Technology represents a major leap forward in offshore wireless communications. Achieving broadband speeds of up to 87 Mbps, far exceeding the 8.9 Mbps of its predecessor, and utilising multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) mesh technology, its low-latency mode ensures real-time data transmission while connectivity up to 30 km with clear line of sight guarantees reliable performance.
Ross MacLeod, Integrated Projects Director at Ashtead Technology, emphasised its impact: “AT-MESH delivers superior performance, reliability and scalability for offshore applications. By integrating cutting-edge advancements with the proven reliability of the SeaMESH platform, we are delivering an unparalleled solution.”
The high-bandwidth capabilities of AT-MESH support up to 144 nodes at 22 Mbps or 24 nodes at 87 Mbps, allowing the technology to be used across a wider range of applications, from multi-vessel resource sharing, vessel data exchange, pipeline monitoring, remotely operated vehicle and diving operations to tug management.
AT-MESH is said to be the first system with built-in capability to wirelessly transmit high- definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) video between vessels. This eliminates the need for dedicated video encoder modules.
Conventional radio frequency (RF) data telemetry systems only offer point-to-point connections, whereas AT-MESH enables data sharing across multiple nodes. Serial data transmission is also possible by incorporating a serial server.
Backward compatibility with SeaMESH hardware enables seamless integration with existing systems. To further continue the technological improvements, the AT-MESH system can also interface with any Ethernet-enabled device supporting wireless transmission of audio and video, it offers out-of-the-box support for analogue and SDI video encoding/decoding and, with a single cable connection to the antenna unit, it simplifies installation.
Ross continued: “AT-MESH is a game-changer in offshore connectivity, ensuring that operations are more efficient, effective and interconnected than ever before. The AT-MESH system is already proving itself as a trusted communication technology enhancing offshore operations. We have multiple systems currently on hire around the world, including Norway (North Sea), UAE and the USA.
Ashtead Technology remains the only equipment rental provider offering this advanced mesh technology and has significantly invested in expanding its rental fleet to ensure customers have immediate access to one of the industry’s most advanced offshore wireless communication technologies.”
