Virginia Commonwealth University Taps T-Mobile To Help Protect Endangered Species
Researchers leverage 5G to monitor Atlantic sturgeon in real time, protect critical habitats and enhance global environmental educationBELLEVUE, WA and CHARLES CITY, VA / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2024 / The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rice …
Researchers leverage 5G to monitor Atlantic sturgeon in real time, protect critical habitats and enhance global environmental education
BELLEVUE, WA and CHARLES CITY, VA / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2024 / The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rice Rivers Center is using the power of 5G to transform conservation for the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon. Today, T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) announced that VCU Rice Rivers Center is using T-Mobile 5G to protect this prehistoric species, while setting a new benchmark for environmental preservation along the James River.
Once fished to near extinction, the James River sturgeon population near Richmond, Virginia, still faces an ongoing threat from power plant cooling water intake systems. But thanks to advancements in tracking technology using telemetry receivers, particularly with tagged female sturgeon, the Center can notify the plant when these fish enter their spawning habitat to lay eggs. This allows the plant to decrease or stop water intake, helping safeguard this vulnerable species.
T-Mobile's award-winning 5G network plays a pivotal role in the Center's conservation efforts by linking acoustic receivers to an aquatic hub, enabling real-time tracking of sturgeon movements, even in remote areas of the James River. Additionally, T-Mobile's IoT Control Center empowers VCU to streamline SIM card management in the receivers, optimizing data transmission, reporting and device oversight. These capabilities enhance both research accuracy and operational efficiency for more impactful conservation outcomes.
"The work we're doing with T-Mobile has digitally transformed how we protect the endangered Atlantic sturgeon," said Matt Balazik, Ph.D., Research Faculty, VCU Rice Rivers Center. "Real-time data allows us to make critical, well-informed decisions that directly safeguard the species, while also educating the next generation of environmental stewards."
"At T-Mobile, we believe in the power of technology to create powerful outcomes, and our collaboration with VCU is a perfect example of that," said George Fischer, SVP of Sales, T-Mobile Business Group. "By powering secure real-time data transmission, we're helping to safeguard critical habitats and educate future generations. Together, we're setting a new standard for environmental sustainability and ensuring that these ancient fish thrive in the James River for years to come."