North Sea off shore

[Faldo87]

I’m off shore working in the North Sea. Notice I am picking up 4G. Will I be charged extra for using my data. I understand calls and normal txt will cost but will surfing the net, Netflix, WhatsApp etc cost me extra?

[Dcos25]

James, I would say that 90% of your first post was correct. Tampnet does indeed use physical base stations to extend a land/fibre based 4g network into the North Sea, as opposed to a maritime satellite based system with severely limited bandwidth capability. However, you should also have said that EE intend to fleece their customers with extortionate data charges. For some context, it will cost around £100 for a 30 minute video call, or £3000 to stream a Netflix movie!! I can only pressume that EE really don't want people using the network at all.

Also, I wouldn't consider the topic to be solved as the other part of the question concerned people seeing the network on their phones when searching manually, but unable to connect to it. I'm wondering if the platforms have the ability to block access on an individual level?

[Leanne_T]

Hi @Dcos25 

I would suggest checking with Tampnet to see if they have coverage available in the location.

If so, and you are having issues connecting to Tampnet, please get in touch with Customer Care so our Tech Gurus can run through some diagnostics with you.

Leanne.

[JimiT]

I work offshore in the North Sea and have colleagues who could see the Tampnet network a month ago. I got in touch with Tampnet and EE to see how this network works. I was advised that I could buy a Smart SIM plan and use my data roaming as normal out here. I did so and activated the SIM card before I came offshore. Now that I'm here I can't see any 4g network. There is a 4G mast on my platform so the signal should be good I have been told.

Tampnet told me that EE made changes to the roaming service on the 1st of October and since then they have had lots of questions regarding the network.

I'm trying to get some support from EE regarding this because charging maritime rates (£10 for 10MB!?) doesn't seem reasonable considering this isn't a satellite network.

I am still within my cooling off period thankfully and will be forced to leave if I can't get some reasonable answers regarding this.

I don't think this topic should be flagged as solved considering all the outstanding questions, and since speaking to Tampnet directly.

James

[James_B]

Hi @JimiT,

Welcome back to the community.

You'll need to purchase a roaming data add-on before you can access data via Tampnet.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, this would be charged at the standard Maritime rates.

Thanks

James

[JimiT]

Hi James B,

as I said, the Tampnet network is a 4G network and not a satellite network. The maritime rates of £10 for 10MB are unreasonable in this day and age.

I would have purchased a roaming add-on if a European, or US one would suffice, but the maritime tarrifs for a non-satellite network are ridiculous.

It is dissapointing that EE has taken the stance it has regarding tariffs on this new network.

James

[Dcos25]

It will be interesting to see how the other operators approach this when they come online over the next couple of months. If any of them offer anything halfway decent, EE customers will be leaving in droves. Best bet is probably with Three as they tend to have the best deals for roaming.

With regards to people seeing the network but unable to connect, I've heard that the platforms control the repeaters that send the signal through the accommodation, so it may be that they have been disabled. They don't control the main mast transmitters, so you would only be able to connect if outside. The rumour is that the platforms were unhappy about not being able to control communications during emergencies, so have disabled the repeaters until they can get kill switches installed. No idea if this is true or not? Would be good to get some more solid information from EE, but they don't seem to be listening at the moment.

For those that have devices with e-sim support, another option is Gigsky, who offer deals of 1GB for $50 over 30 days. Still expensive, but nothing compared to EE crazy charges which would be about £1000. This is assuming you're able to connect at all of course!

[Drew474]

Any further news on this? Would be great to use our allowance. The operator i work for severely limit what you can do on the internet. The maritime rates are criminal!

[Leanne_T]

Hi there @Drew474

Thanks for coming to the community.

As @James_B has advised, you'll need to purchase a roaming data add-on before you can access data via Tampnet.

Full details can be found on our Maritime Roaming costs Help page.

Thanks.

Leanne.

[nelson55]

Gigsky are currently charging £20 for 5GB for this service, and somehow EE want to charge over £1 per MB not sure how they can justify that!!

[MaulerMatt]

So what you're saying is that.......(checks notes).....your service just got worse!

You could have provided Everything Everywhere, but you decided not to.