Connectivity in rural areas is an ongoing issue for border agents who often work in more remote areas. However, with the implementation and expansion of 5G, new innovative technologies using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can help border agents have the increased connectivity and capabilities they need at ports and standard border crossing locations.
The ability to provide real-time data in the hands of border agents to help them make decisions more efficiently is critical, especially with the ongoing expansion of incoming data from sensors. In addition, the rise of 5G and analytics will help transform agent training, as well as enhance cross-agency collaboration.
These were the key themes in the second part of Government Technology “5G & Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Shaping Technologies of National Importance” podcast on Border Security – Remote Operations, where Johnathan Cree, a Principle Investigator for the Advance Wireless Communications Program at PNNL, and John Larregui, Managing Partner for Public Sector at Verizon, discuss this topic further.
“Ports are a very dynamic environment,” said Cree “But distributing network infrastructure out of these ports is very costly and disruptive to operations, especially when you have to trench fiber and run a lot of cables underground. There can also be a lot of existing infrastructure already in place, making it even more costly. That’s why we are looking at wireless technologies to see if we can create a secure wireless communication link that is equivalent to fiber so we can utilize that link instead of the cost-prohibitive act of deploying network infrastructure that is wired.”
Listen to the full podcast below:
