Yes, low-band 5G can be used to support remote healthcare services in rural areas[1][7]. Low-band 5G is well-suited for rural connectivity due to its broad coverage and ability to penetrate obstacles[1][2].
How low-band 5G supports remote healthcare:
* Improved Connectivity Low-band 5G offers better range and penetration, making it ideal for providing improved internet connections to rural and remote areas[2]. Its superior propagation characteristics make it particularly suitable for providing coverage in these areas[4].
* Remote Monitoring Low-band 5G supports precision agriculture applications, including remote monitoring, smart irrigation, and crop management[1]. Remote patient monitoring systems can deliver accurate and timely information to healthcare providers, which enables early detection of health issues and personalized treatment plans[7].
* Telemedicine 5G-powered telemedicine platforms enable patients to connect with healthcare providers via high-definition video conferencing and conduct virtual consultations, increasing patient care access, convenience, and flexibility, especially in remote or underserved areas[7].
* Low Latency The latency reduction in 5G enhances healthcare services in rural areas and supports remote healthcare and surgery, as well as remote surgical procedures[3].
* Smart Hospitals 5G improves hospital processes by breaking the internet bandwidth barrier and creating smart hospitals[6]. 5G connectivity can be used to monitor in-patients' conditions and alert physicians[10].
* Remote Diagnosis and Treatment 5G technology can help rural medical practitioners remotely diagnose and treat underserved patients in remote locations, as well as support workflows that improve providers' efficiency and effectiveness[9].
* Emergency Services Low bands offer more reliable wireless connectivity to emergency services in disaster-prone areas or remote locations compared to traditional infrastructures[1]. 5G connectivity on ambulances can enable remote consultations with experts to provide real-time first aid treatment[10].
Citations:
[1] https://nybsys.com/5g-bands/
[2] https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/low-band-5g-broadband-for-better-rural-connectivity/172391/
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-57641-7
[4] https://www.gsma.com/connectivity-for-good/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Socio-Economic-Benefits-of-Low-Band-Spectrum.pdf
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8764898/
[6] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2021/8814364
[7] https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2024/05170/5g_enabled_smart_hospitals__innovations_in_patient.35.aspx
[8] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1469
[9] https://www.t-mobile.com/business/resources/articles/benefits-of-5g-rural-healthcare
[10] https://www.gsma.com/5ghub/5ghealthcare