As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) stands at the forefront of the global oil and gas industry, the demand for robust connectivity solutions has never been more important. As an oil and gas industry leader, Saudi Arabia often implements leading technologies and services for their relevant energy operations, but these implementations come with their own set of regulatory reviews and requirements.
Speedcast has been operating in Saudi Arabia since 2018 and received our NTN Operations Permit in 2024. This crucial development empowers Speedcast to deliver cutting-edge VSAT services directly within the Kingdom. This enables Speedcast to deliver key elements of our connectivity toolkit to customers with operations in Saudi Arabia. While Starlink is one component of Speedcast’s broad connectivity portfolio, the low Earth orbit’s (LEO) solution is not approved for use in the Saudi market.
Saudi Arabia is not just one of the world’s fastest-growing economies; it is the second-largest oil producer and a top contender in natural gas production. Operators in this dynamic sector understand that leveraging advanced technology can optimize and automate processes across the entire upstream oil and gas value chain. So, what satellite connectivity options are available to support this booming industry?
Eutelsat OneWeb is revolutionizing connectivity with its deployment of Ku-band LEO satellites, offering high-bandwidth, low-latency solutions tailored for enterprise usage. OneWeb has already established ground stations in Tabuk and Haradh, enhancing connectivity across the Middle East. As a Global Distributor for OneWeb, Speedcast has been actively testing and deploying these solutions worldwide, achieving average speeds of 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up, with latency comparable to traditional geostationary satellites (GEO).
OneWeb sets itself apart with its guaranteed service and committed information rate (CIR), making it ideal for oil and gas operators that rely on real-time data in remote locations. With a wide array of terminal options—from parabolic antennas to low-profile flat panels—OneWeb accommodates various asset types, including FPSO and offshore platforms.
Speedcast Ku-band VSAT
Through in-country strategic partners, Speedcast has been supporting major oil and gas operators in Saudi Arabia with our state-of-the-art Ku-band VSAT network. Designed for offshore operations, our network features a variety of antennas and modems suited for both onshore and offshore uses. With a guaranteed CIR, our service ensures that minimum bandwidth is always available, making it ideal for everything from high-quality voice services to critical data transfers. With decades of remote communications experience, Speedcast Ku’s VSAT network is a reliable choice when other technologies may falter.
Iridium Certus
Iridium’s L-band LEO constellation offers a resilient alternative to challenging weather conditions and physical obstructions. Although its maximum speed is only 704 Kbps, Iridium Certus excels in providing reliable broadband and midband voice and data capabilities. This makes it perfect for IoT solutions, sensors and safety services on oil rigs and supply vessels, ensuring uninterrupted communication in the most demanding environments.
Future-Proof Your Operations
While Starlink is not licensed for use in Saudi, your shareholders need seamless connectivity solutions and demand immediate results. At Speedcast, we offer solutions that take a proactive approach by leveraging multi-path connectivity to future-proof your operations. Ability to integrate multiple connection types – such as LEO, GEO and MEO VSAT options, as well as L-band, 4G/LTE, microwave and fiber – is essential when reliable internet access is important. With Speedcast’s SIGMA intelligent edge platform, you can seamlessly combine various connections into a single, secure service, along with application layer reliability, smart traffic shaping, and more. Our enterprise-grade SD-WAN continuously evaluates and selects the best connectivity options, always ensuring consistent application performance and maximum availability.
Mastering Connectivity
Saudi Arabia’s connectivity landscape is rapidly evolving, and Speedcast’s Professional Engineering and Systems Integration services are at the forefront, offering specialized expertise in engineering design, integration, installation, commissioning, and project management tailored specifically for the oil and gas industry. Our solutions empower companies to navigate the complexities of digital transformation by developing strategic roadmaps that ensure seamless adoption and enhance system capabilities, helping you stay ahead of the competition.
As we anticipate the arrival of future constellations like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and Telesat Lightspeed, Speedcast offers the flexibility to easily incorporate new technologies into your operations. By implementing a holistic connectivity solution, you can enhance operational efficiency, maintain critical communications, and ensure safety—even in the most remote environments.
Speak with our experts to explore the connectivity options that will accelerate your operations.