Whether virtual 3D representations of organs or operations that are carried out remotely: The 5G mobile communications standard is intended to advance medicine.
This kind of progress is gradually starting in this country.
Düsseldorf - In the digitization of the health care system, the first German hospitals are relying on their own 5G mobile networks. After the University Clinic in Bonn at the end of 2020 and a Helios Hospital in Leipzig this summer, the Düsseldorf University Clinic is now also tackling its own network in the mobile communications standard. When it comes into operation on Wednesday afternoon, NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Andreas Pinkwart (FDP) and Vodafone Germany boss Hannes Ametsreiter are expected.
The 5th generation of mobile communications (5G) is intended to enable hospitals to transmit large data sets of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) so that doctors from other departments can receive information quickly and treatment can continue without interruptions and waiting times. Networked “augmented reality” glasses for operations should also be easy to use thanks to 5G and improve the virtual representation of body parts. The radio standard is intended to ensure smooth and stable transmissions.
Deutsche Telekom started a 5G campus network at the University Hospital Bonn at the end of 2020.
The network is running well and smoothly, says the head of the IT clinic business at Deutsche Telekom, Michael Waldbrenner.
Compared to fixed-line internet via WiFi, 5G has the great advantage that it enables stable real-time transmission of immensely large amounts of data.
In the partly very old buildings of German hospitals, the cabling for better WiFi is sometimes very complex, which is one of the reasons why 5G is an option.
"There is a lot of catching up to do in terms of digitization at German hospitals, and 5G is an important key here."
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The clinic business has good prospects, said the telecommunications manager.
“We have numerous inquiries from hospitals for better network coverage.” WLan could be sufficient for smaller clinics, but 5G is the best transmission method in larger hospitals.
Vodafone Germany boss Ametsreiter also emphasizes the advantages: "5G is much more precise than WLan, no data packets are lost and stable transmission is ensured." According to him, the radio standard has "what it takes to support the medical system, which in some cases is still very analog revolutionize".
The Telekom competitor is also in talks with other potential customers.
The so-called campus networks only broadcast on the clinic premises, they are not public - and thus protected from outside hackers.
"When it comes to data security, 5G campus networks have great advantages," says Telekom manager Waldbrenner.
Separately from this, there is a public 5G network that, for example, establishes a real-time connection with specialists in other cities and can then incorporate their expertise in real-time into operations or treatments.
Natalie Gladkov from the German Medical Technology Association says that the need for high line capacities across the board will increase enormously so that digital processes can develop through the networking of systems and devices.
5G networks at clinics are a step forward, says the digital expert: "The telemedicine sector in particular will benefit from this and establish itself in the long term."
Telefónica began setting up a 5G network at a Helios hospital in Leipzig in August, and it should go into operation at the end of the year.
Telefónica Germany boss Markus Haas sees great potential.
Remotely controlled operations would be just as possible as the involvement of experts for data-supported, often life-saving decisions: "5G offers extremely high data speeds and very short response times of up to a millisecond." Dpa
