Cellular IoT is a technology ideal for healthcare applications, writes Erik Kling, President & Head of IoT Americas, Vodafone IoT
Healthcare systems across the globe are under enormous stress, whether they operate privately or publicly. With 20% of the global population set to be over 60 by 2030 and one third of adults in OECD countries alone living with a chronic illness, healthcare workers are reaching a breaking point. Worsening matters still, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, the industry will face a shortfall of 11 million health workers.
This is where cellular IoT and health tech devices can step into the gap, saving the most precious resource of all: specialist clinicians and carers’ time. Many time-consuming tasks, like manual patient checks and blood tests, can be handled by these devices instead – thereby freeing up healthcare providers’ attention and time for more complex cases. Through this, wearables and telecare services can transform the care and lives of patients with chronic conditions that require around-the-clock monitoring.
Just a few of these examples include IoT-based monitoring of sleep apnea, remote monitoring, and data collection related to treatments for dialysis patients, and even modulating nerve activities with implanted devices. Whatever the condition, connected IoT monitoring devices allow millions of people to better manage it independently. Not only can they track their own conditions at a glance, but their healthcare providers can also monitor them remotely, only arranging in-person visits when the device flags a potential issue or for standard check-ups.
Cellular connectivity: the global lifeline of healthcare IoT
IoT healthcare devices have the potential to change the lives of millions of chronically ill people worldwide, but only if they’re connected. We’ve learned a thing or two about this at Vodafone IoT after connecting 200 million IoT devices – with a large portion of these being in the healthcare industry. These devices must be able to quickly and securely establish reliable connections, and crucially, stay connected – whether they’re at home or on the move. Any loss of connectivity could be incredibly harmful, or in some cases fatal, for those with chronic conditions.
While many assume that most of the world is connected in some shape or form, connectivity gaps persist. In the US alone, it’s estimated that 22% of rural areas lack broadband access, with similar issues present in towns and even parts of cities. Yet, these challenges must never mean patients have to settle for lower standards of care.
This is where global cellular IoT connectivity shines. Unlike Wi-Fi, which only covers a pre-defined area of space, requires manual logins, and often means manually switching from one broadband network to another, cellular connectivity provides seamless, secure, and continuous connections that follow devices wherever they go – across neighbourhoods, cities, and national borders.
The bigger the global network reach, the better. In our customers’ case, it helps to be able to leverage over 760 networks across 180+ countries, and we hear a lot from them about the benefits of that. More specifically, global reach lets healthcare devices roam effortlessly between multiple networks, including dedicated low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), ensuring uninterrupted monitoring and care even if the primary network is unavailable. It also gives health professionals a constant stream of data from the patients even if they’re on the move.
In life-or-death healthcare scenarios, patients cannot afford dropped connections or unreliable signals. Cellular IoT connectivity offers peace of mind, delivering a stable, secure mobile network without patients needing to manage connections themselves. It simply works, freeing patients to focus on their health rather than their connectivity.
Rewiring healthcare on a global scale
Healthcare is inherently global. Clinical trials span continents, medical devices are deployed worldwide, and patients often travel far from home. Global cellular connectivity is critical in making sure that healthcare IoT devices work just as effectively, no matter where they are used. This connectivity not only supports continuous, real-time patient monitoring and timely interventions, but also empowers healthcare providers to extend their reach beyond local facilities and borders.
Wide coverage and deep indoor penetration offered by cellular networks keep devices online in challenging environments such as hospitals, care homes, and remote locations. The result is a connected healthcare ecosystem – where patients can manage their health with greater independence and confidence, and healthcare systems can scale remote care on a previously unimaginable scale.
5G and beyond: a new frontier for connected care
The evolution of cellular technology will only accelerate these benefits. While many healthcare IoT devices rely on low-bandwidth cellular technologies like CAT-1 and LTE-M today, 5G unlocks a new world of possibilities. Its ultra-low latency and high bandwidth make applications like live-streamed surgeries, remote expert consultations, and augmented reality-assisted procedures a reality.
Imagine real-time MRI scans and critical patient data shared instantly with specialists thousands of miles away, or paramedics receiving live expert guidance in ambulances through connected AR devices, all enabled by the speed and reliability of global 5G networks.
Connecting people, data, and care worldwide
Healthcare IoT is more than just connecting devices; it’s about connecting people with their data and their care, wherever they may be. It breaks down geographical barriers, opening access to revolutionary healthcare services across countries and continents. But the success of this transformation hinges on stable, secure, and truly global cellular connectivity, the invisible thread rewiring healthcare for a better, more connected future.
Erik joined Vodafone in September 2010 and is currently leading the Vodafone IoT business in the Americas as President & Head of IoT Americas. He most recently held the position as Vice President IoT New Business Development, developing the enterprise market, channels to market with its various segments and industries globally.
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