Tennessee Combats Menacing Hogs Using Technology Powered by Verizon's Network

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has turned to innovative technology to assist landowners with controlling wild hogs—a costly nuisance for state residents and a danger to the environment.  Frequent trap visits by wildlife officers to monitor hog activity is the most costly phase of the Agency's control efforts.  Live streaming video enables wildlife officers to watch hogs enter the trap and release the trap door remotely. 

"We believe this system can significantly reduce our labor costs associated with our trapping efforts," said Richard Kirk, middle Tennessee Wildlife Program Manager.

Nationally, wild hogs cause $1.5 billion in damage each year to agriculture, wildlife habitats and waterways. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation describes the wild hog as "Tennessee's Single Most Destructive Animal."  Two years ago the TWRA began intensively working statewide on public land and assisting private landowners to address the loss of habitat and crop damage these animals can cause.

In an effort to more efficiently combat the problem, Verizon introduced TWRA to business partner IC Realtime, a southeastern-based mobile video and security company to reduce the number of man-hours needed to monitor and trap wild hogs. IC Realtime created HogWatch, an HD video solution that monitors hog traps 24 hours per day. This new system is machine-to-machine technology, meaning it's a device that constantly communicates data or video over Verizon's cellular network.

"The 4G LTE network allows these types of machine-to-machine solutions to be developed. Before Verizon deployed 4G LTE in 2010, no data service had the speed to transmit live HD video from remote areas. Verizon is proud that our network is able to assist the Tennessee Wildlife Agency in better controlling menacing hogs while saving taxpayers money," said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless Carolinas/Tennessee region president.

Additionally, the system uses solar panels to fuel cameras and transmits video back to agency computers or smart phones over Verizon's 4G LTE data network.  Utilizing solar power to maintain batteries makes the system virtually maintenance free, further reducing costs.  Officers can conveniently monitor and activate the trap using their smartphones, freeing them to perform others duties.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 98.9 million retail customers, including 93.2 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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