Odido first to enable ‘Roam Like at Home’ on the North Sea
Odido and Tampnet enter partnership and launch Odido@Sea: Europe’s largest integrated offshore mobile network
Together with maritime provider Tampnet, Odido is launching Odido@Sea: Europe’s largest integrated offshore mobile network for the North Sea. Starting 1 January 2026, Odido customers will be able to use their phones at regular European rates under the individual Roam Like at Home scheme while being on the North Sea. The same will also apply to customers of other European operators. This strategic partnership offers both businesses and consumers improved coverage on offshore platforms, more efficient business applications, and seamless connectivity across the North Sea. With this move, Odido strengthens its leading position as a mobile provider while making its cutting-edge network accessible to both existing and new international users at sea.
Connectivity on the North Sea as at home
Until now, users at sea have had to pay steep prices for mobile connectivity. Roaming costs were high, while satellite and maritime services were even more expensive. By joining forces with Tampnet, Odido is putting an end to this situation. From 2026 onwards, the entire North Sea will fall under the individual European Roam Like at Home scheme: customers will pay the same rates as in the Netherlands and across Europe, with calls and data simply included in their bundle.
The mobile network now provides a reliable and affordable alternative to costly satellite services. Over the course of next year, Odido@Sea will also be expanded for international users, allowing even more people to benefit from this breakthrough in offshore connectivity.
“At Odido, we believe everyone should be able to stay connected, even at open sea. Today, if you take a boat to England, you risk paying exorbitant rates for mobile calls and data,” says Gero Niemeyer, CFO at Odido. “With Odido@Sea we are proving once again that things can be done differently. We continue to challenge conventions and ensure that as many mobile users as possible can rely on our network.”
Odido@Sea: Europe’s largest offshore network
From next year, users in the international waters of the North Sea will easily be able to connect to the Odido@Sea network. This extensive network covers close to 300,000 km² and includes the international waters of the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, among others. Through this exclusive collaboration, Tampnet’s existing offshore network and Odido’s mobile infrastructure are fully integrated into one powerful network.
This integration brings immediate benefits: all Odido’s roaming partners worldwide will gain faster access to the entire offshore network, including future expansions beyond the North Sea. The result is Europe’s largest and most integrated offshore mobile network: a reliable connection in areas previously served only by costly satellite services.
"This partnership means that offshore workers can finally stay connected without worrying about high roaming costs. For people working weeks at sea, being able to use their phones like at home is more than convenience, it’s quality of life,” says Elie Hanna, CEO of Tampnet.
Innovation at sea
In addition to consumer benefits, the collaboration also creates extra value for business and government markets. It enables more advanced mobile services at sea and better alignment of private 5G networks, edge computing, and satcom for offshore platforms and shipping. It will also support the rollout of push-to-talk services, 5G Standalone, and network slicing for business users. This opens up new opportunities such as deploying drones between land and sea to monitor ships and wind farms, or to transport goods, maintenance equipment, and other supplies more efficiently.
Starting 1 January 2026
From 1 January next year, Odido customers—including those with Ben and Simpel—will be able to use the offshore network within their individual Roam Like at Home bundle. Later in the year, the network will gradually be activated and made available to all other international users. Customers will receive the familiar “Welcome to” SMS once they connect to the Tampnet or Odido network upon entering the area.