Brownsville, Texas: The Smart City SpaceX Built?
- By CDOTrends editors
- September 30, 2024
The U.S. city of Brownsville, Texas, has announced what it has called a “transformative partnership” with NTT DATA to implement advanced smart solutions on a private 5G (P5G) network.
The initiative aims to improve public services, enhance safety, boost sustainability, and support the city’s growth by leveraging real-time data analytics and AI power technology within a secure wireless infrastructure.
“The future is coming to life in Brownsville today as we partner with NTT DATA to set a new standard for smart, connected and sustainable cities,” said John Cowen, Jr., Brownsville’s City Mayor.
“Ultimately, we’re seeking to reinvent human-to-digital interactions in ways that deliver amazing citizen services and an outstanding quality of life.”
Brownsville’s proximity to facilities like SpaceX Starbase, the Texas LNG export facility, the deep-water port of Brownsville, and Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport have driven significant growth for the city in recent years. The city has a population of just under 200,000.
The first phase of the work will focus on the city’s downtown area, covering four public parks, the Department of Public Works yard, and the airport.
In this phase, NTT DATA will introduce smart infrastructure by utilizing new and existing data collection devices to establish an Internet of Things (IoT) network and create a connected city.
NTT DATA will roll out a P5G network in stages, ensuring comprehensive coverage to support IT assets and high bandwidth applications across Brownsville. This P5G network forms a backbone for deploying smart solutions across various sectors.
Public safety and security are also key components of the project smart solutions will provide city officials with real-time data analysis, allowing them to monitor and manage public areas, including parks and streets, more effectively predictive AI and data-driven insights will help identify and address safety issues proactively, further enhancing the quality of life for residents.
“Brownsville’s leaders have demonstrated a remarkable vision for using data-driven insights to improve the citizen experience and lay the foundation for a sustainable future,” said Eric Clark, chief executive officer of NTT DATA North America.
“The combination of predictive AI, real-time analytics, P5G, and edge devices is a game changer for communities and industries seeking digital transformation. We look forward to partnering with the city on further innovations that create a bright and prosperous future.”
Image credit: iStockphoto/Ayodeji Afolabi