Nokia & Boldyn Networks: Pioneering a Hospital 5G Network
Nokia and Boldyn Networks have announced that they have successfully launched Europe’s first private 5G standalone (5G SA) network in a functioning hospital in Oulu, Finland.
As part of the Hola 5G Oulu Project, launched by Oulu University Hospital and funded by the European Union (EU), the private 5G technology will enable the rollout of a new generation of healthcare devices and wearables.
Use cases include virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) smart glasses to offer visual access to critical patient data and vital signs.
The potential of Private 5G
In this instance, Private 5G will work to support a new generation of medical use cases, including mobile app software and AI-assisted imaging analysis. This hopes to support doctors and nurses in accessing real-time patient data hands-free - even during a power outage.
- The project aims to improve communication between healthcare staff
- Provides accessible visualised patient care
- Private 5G ensures hospital staff can work more effectively with instant data access and connectivity
“The network going live is a major milestone for us, and it's incredibly rewarding to see our vision taking shape,” says Jani Katisko, Associate Professor and Medical Physicist at Oulu University Hospital.
“It opens a world of possibilities for improving patient care. This advancement means that doctors and nurses can have instant access to critical information on their devices, maintaining connectivity as they move throughout the hospital.”
Experts at Boldyn Networks have been committed to developing a network that is robust and reliable, particularly within the demanding environment of a hospital. Connecting all devices and personnel, the company says the network can enable uninterrupted data flow and connectivity even in the critical event of a power outage.
Such a feat could be monumental for future healthcare delivery, particularly in the wake of significant global IT outages that have directly impacted patient care.
With this in mind, the Hola 5G Oulu Project is designed to bring advanced Private 5G technology to the healthcare sector. It ensures a high-performing network infrastructure by using Nokia Modular Private Wireless (MPW), which Boldyn Networks deploys.
“Now, with the Private 5G SA network, we can utilise many of its strengths as a seamless handover, low latency, high capacity, cybersecurity and availability in any circumstances,” explains Petri Parviainen, Head of Sales Public Sector, Private Networks Europe at Boldyn Networks. “It allows the hospitals to constantly keep track of the healthcare processes while enabling seamless communication and collaboration of the hospital’s staff.
“This aligns with the main objective of the project, to elevate the quality of patient care.”
A new generation of healthcare devices
Private 5G has ultimately empowered Oulu University Hospital to introduce a new generation of healthcare devices.
These include wireless wearable technologies for patient wards, including WICOAR HealthVision smart glasses with AR. This enables doctors and nurses to have instant visual access to critical patient data to enable faster diagnoses.
Likewise, WICOAR HealthAudio is a mobile app to give healthcare professionals a reliable platform for swift communications.
“With instant data access, we are reducing the time spent searching for information,” says Rauno Jokelainen, Co-founder and COO of WICOAR Technologies. “We are empowering healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to their patients, creating a more personalised and effective healthcare experience.”
Boldyn Networks will ensure the Private 5G SA network operates with existing hospital appointments, whilst Oulu University will focus on testing the usability of the wireless wearables in clinical settings to confirm if they enhance workflows and improve patient care.
Rolf Albrecht, Head of Enterprise Campus Edge Europe Sales at Nokia, adds: “We have a long-standing collaboration with Boldyn in deploying private networks across Europe. The successful deployment of this advanced 5G private network in the Hola 5G Oulu project marks the beginning of a digital journey that extends far beyond connectivity.
“Nokia is proud to provide private wireless network technology for this important initiative, paving the way for a brighter future in patient care.”
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