As a member of the NIST-MEP National Network, part of our mission is to help promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness. NIST plays a central role in making 5G/NetG a reliable and ubiquitous technology. They are rigorously measuring and testing all parts of the wireless ecosystem and using those measurements to help the communications industry develop standards for these new networks and devices.

We know that 5G will provide an advantage to manufacturers that want to automate their operations, boost productivity, and increase agility. Remaining competitive is everything to manufacturers, and creating gains in efficiency and profitability will have to be achieved through new innovations and operational excellence. This includes the continued need for automation in the manufacturing process and warehouse transportation to become genuinely flexible. 5G and IoT will be vital to enhancing and enabling these advances in manufacturing. 5G networks offer manufacturers the opportunity to build smart factories, take advantage of automation, artificial intelligence, augmented reality for troubleshooting, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Impact Washington is a Core Partner in the newly released 5G Network Feasibility Study for Port and Maritime Operations conducted by Washington Maritime Blue, 5G Open Innovation —in Partnership with Avanade and Amdocs

The research identifies the potential business benefits and enterprise scenarios that private 5G wireless networks can enable 

Washington Maritime Blue and 5G Open Innovation Lab (5G OI Lab) in collaboration with two of its founding partners, Avanade and Amdocs, have published the findings and recommendations from the Tacoma Tideflats 5G Network Feasibility Study. The study highlights how a private 5G network would enable the Tideflats to accelerate current and future technology innovation and establish global leadership in the maritime industry. It also lays the foundations for the Tacoma Tideflats to build and launch a private enterprise 5G network before the end of 2022. 

Maritime Blue is a Build Back Better Regional Challenge award finalist and will dedicate funding from this recognition to make the Tacoma Tideflats one of the first commercial ports in the United States to establish itself as an innovation and sustainability trailblazer fueling a growing maritime economy and blueprint for other ports around the world. 

Fewer than ten ports around the world currently offer the speed, stability, security, and scalability of a private 5G network. The Tacoma Tideflats covers more than 5,000 acres and is the base of port and terminal operations, industrial and manufacturing hubs, and a critical marine ecosystem.  

“The implementation of a private 5G network would establish the infrastructure for those working in the Tideflats today to utilize the technology they’re envisioning for the next decade and beyond,” said Joshua Berger, Founder, and CEO of Washington Maritime Blue. “We will create an ecosystem like no other in the world to attract innovators building the technology of the future. This is an essential next step to maintain and support the growth of the maritime industry and blue economy.” 

Avanade conducted a series of interviews and workshops that uncovered specific use-cases in collaboration with key stakeholders to identify the business value and technology pathway to build and use a private 5G network across the Tideflats. International ports are expected to implement private 5G wireless networks to modernize their operations. The scenarios identified by Avanade highlight the potential for the Tideflats to be a global leader in advancing port operations, advanced manufacturing, and environmental services.  

Four key themes emerged from the feasibility study:

• Orchestration and Efficiency: Working together in new ways (enabled by data and technology) to create efficiency and transparency across the Tideflats, offering an end-to-end view of the supply chain.
• Infrastructure Modernization: Improve the physical and virtual infrastructure including where equipment is moved and stored, traffic management, connectivity dead zones, siloed data, manual processes, and cybersecurity.
• Improving Safety: Concerns for worker and community safety and the desire to consider new ways of operating to prioritize safety.
• Enabling a Sustainable Future: Put ecological and community health at the forefront of Tacoma Tideflats operations, technologies, and processes.

Download Findings Here

View full Press Release Here