Healthcare services have undergone a progressive digital transformation, with the increasing adoption of electronic medical records and digital platforms for hospital and laboratory management. However, the high costs related to internet links, installation and maintenance of network infrastructure, instability, legal uncertainty due to the lack of definitive regulation of telemedicine and the low reliability of connections have slowed the adoption of digital technologies in healthcare.
However, this scenario is about to change. The so-called “5G Revolution” is expected to significantly transform the provision of healthcare services. The “5G Auction”, a bidding process for radio frequencies used by the 5th generation of mobile telecommunications technologies, took place recently and the deadlines set foresee coverage for all capitals by mid-2022. And, by 2028, for 100% in all Brazilian municipalities.
The extremely high capacity of 5G, with connection speeds that can exceed 1GBps, combined with low latency and high connectivity, allows information to be exchanged practically in real time between thousands of devices simultaneously, with high reliability. Thus, entire clinics and hospitals will be able to restructure their networks without the need for large investments in infrastructure, optimizing the use of cloud computing with security and lower maintenance costs.
The use of monitors, hospital sensors, and other medical devices connected continuously to the Internet could bring many innovations, leading to less waste and better control. And Telemedicine, which has been growing rapidly after the Covid-19 pandemic, will gain even more momentum, as the 5G video connection is crystal clear and stable, providing an even better experience for healthcare professionals and patients.
Furthermore, the “5G Auction” involved very important counterparts. This is the case of the rapid and broad expansion of 4G to more than 30 thousand kilometers of federal highways, more than 10 thousand municipalities and villages currently without 4G. In addition to a complex network infrastructure in the Amazon region, North, Northeast and more than R$3 billion for connectivity in public schools. A good quality 4G connection already allows adequate videoconferencing, making it possible in the short term to expand telemedicine services to thousands of locations currently underserved.
In this way, Saúde Digital Brasil (Brazilian Association of Telemedicine and Digital Health Companies), which has as one of its purposes to guarantee the population access to medical assistance wherever they are, endorses the success of the “5G Auction”.
The counterparts will expand the coverage of 4G mobile networks and local broadband networks, which can significantly expand access to healthcare through Telemedicine. The rapid expansion of 5G will favor the digital transformation of healthcare in Brazil, reducing operational costs and increasing the reliability of digital communications, bringing innovations and providing greater interoperability, security and efficiency in the exchange of medical data, bringing benefits to healthcare throughout the national territory.
After all, our role is to ensure that technology fulfills its role of expanding access to healthcare and supporting everything that increases the scientific-technological development of digital health and innovation in healthcare, of course, increasingly placing the patient at the center of care.
