The healthcare industry is on the verge of a digital transformation, with technologies like AI, IoT, and wearables promising to revolutionise patient care. Especially, in Hola 5G Oulu, we are ambitious to integrate advanced wearable technologies from WICOAR and pursue a researching and developing path for new technological applications. However, these advancements demand a network that can handle massive data loads, deliver ultra-reliable connectivity, and ensure uninterrupted service. This is where private 5G Standalone (SA) networks emerge as the critical enabler.
Beyond the Hype: The Advantages of Private 5G SA
While public 5G SA networks offer significant improvements over previous generations, they also provide distinct advantages tailored to the unique needs of healthcare:
- High Capacity: Hospitals generate and consume enormous amounts of data, from high-resolution medical images to real-time patient monitoring. Private 5G SA networks offer dedicated bandwidth, ensuring sufficient capacity to handle these demanding workloads without congestion or performance degradation.
- Ultra-Low Latency: In healthcare, milliseconds matter. Private 5G SA delivers ultra-low latency, enabling real-time applications like augmented wearable technologies, and instant access to critical patient data. This responsiveness is crucial for time-sensitive diagnosis and enhanced decision-making.
- Enhanced Security: Protecting sensitive patient data is our top priority. Private 5G SA networks provide enhanced security features, and advanced encryption, allowing only authorised medical staffs to access the network and patient’s data. This creates a secure environment for confidential data transfer and storage.
- Geo-Redundancy for Uninterrupted Service: Hospitals cannot afford downtime. Private 5G SA networks can be designed with geo-redundancy, meaning critical network components are distributed across multiple locations. This ensures continuous operation even in the event of power outages, natural disasters, or other disruptions, providing the resilience needed for critical healthcare services. This is the model implemented in Hola 5G Oulu.
Geo-Redundancy: A Deeper Dive
Geo-redundancy is a crucial aspect of private 5G SA for healthcare. It involves deploying core network functions and infrastructure in geographically separate locations. This ensures that if one location experiences an outage, the network automatically switches to the backup location, maintaining uninterrupted service.
Here’s how geo-redundancy benefits healthcare:
- Continuous operation during power outages: If the primary data center loses power, the backup location takes over seamlessly, ensuring continuous connectivity for critical systems and devices.
- Disaster recovery: In the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, geo-redundancy ensures that the network remains operational, enabling communication and access to patient data even in challenging circumstances.
- Increased reliability: By eliminating single points of failure, geo-redundancy significantly enhances the overall reliability of the network, ensuring consistent performance and minimising downtime.
The Future of Healthcare is Connected
Private 5G SA networks provide the foundation for a truly connected healthcare ecosystem. By offering high capacity, ultra-low latency, enhanced security, and geo-redundancy, they empower hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centric care while ensuring uninterrupted service, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. As healthcare continues its digital transformation, private 5G SA will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of the industry.
About Hola 5G Oulu:
Hola 5G Oulu is a pioneering initiative led by Boldyn Networks, in collaboration with WICOAR Technologies, Oulu University Hospital, Pohde and the University of Oulu. The project aims to leverage 5G technology and wearable solutions to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and empower healthcare professionals. See more about the project here.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.