By James Blackman
Private cellular provider Geoverse is to provide an LTE network in the CBRS band for Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) at the Port of Oakland in the US. The new LTE deployment will enable various management applications for ‘intermodal’ transportation in the container yard in the first phase and new smart port applications in follow-on phases.
The private LTE deployment will be one of the first smart port solutions rolled out with CBRS in the US, said Geoverse. OMSS is deploying the Washington firm’s GeoCore evolved packet core (EPC) solution to manage the CBRS infrastructure and connected endpoints across the port site. Geoverse SIMs will go into a number of mobile devices and endpoints, to securely connect to the private LTE network, and roam outside on public cellular networks.
OMSS plans to accelerate its digital transformation by using the Geoverse platform to enable wireless coverage across the port facilities, and to spur industrial Io, and advanced analytics to drive productivity and efficiency at its container yard. OMSS is looking to better manage increasing container traffic, growing handling volumes, and tighter demands on the supply chain.
As well, the deployment is geared to drive usage of automated cargo handling equipment, increase drayage efficiency, improve health and safety on site, and support better communications generally around the port area.
President at OMSS, Bill Aboudi said: “We seek to gain new efficiencies by using wireless, IoT and the available analytics to enable multiple smart port applications by leveraging this reliable high-speed mobile data and communications platform. By partnering with Geoverse, OMSS will be able to enhance its existing infrastructure to support the emerging demands through the use of intelligent intermodal applications such as container yard workflow analytics, environmental monitoring, smart gate management, and drone surveillance.”
Chief executive at Geoverse, Rod Nelson commented: “This deployment is proving to be a first for the support of new use cases with CBRS, demonstrating how these networks are really a good fit for these maritime environments. We’re pleased to partner with OMSS at the Port of Oakland on such a critical effort to improve the way containerized goods are moved as part of the US supply chain. This is a model other ports and intermodal facilities will be watching.”
