Connected Devices to Change Healthcare Delivery

Organizations across the healthcare value chain are realizing the potential of embedding machine-to-machine (M2M) technology into mobile health solutions. These are the latest findings of Frost & Sullivan (Frost, Mountain View, CA, USA), an international market research firm.

Governments, health organizations, and insurers looking for ways to streamline healthcare delivery and control costs have begun to develop M2M-enabled solutions for various applications, including remote patient monitoring, medical asset tracking, and healthcare workflow organization. The Frost report details the success of Orange Business Services (Paris, France) and Telefonica (Madrid, Spain), two mobile network operators (MNOs) in building a stronger presence in the healthcare industry.

The report finds that after North America, Europe offers considerable growth potential for M2M in healthcare, as most European telecom operators have now dedicated M2M business units that focus on research and development, service development, and delivery. But M2M providers for the healthcare sector will need to combat a significant degree of device fragmentation, understand strict local regulations, and be capable of dealing with a broad range of industry stakeholders. To successfully integrate M2M solutions into the healthcare system, providers will also have to offer value added service along with basic connectivity.

Such value-added services include legal compliance, analytics, consulting, and integration, which will require the creation of a sustainable ecosystem of stakeholders and collaboration partners from both the healthcare and technology industries. As a result, MNOs must build health-related resources and expertise to be able to offer highly specialized M2M solutions. Designing a powerful M2M infrastructure supporting various healthcare needs and securing medical data hosting capabilities will also prove essential.

“MNOs are well-placed to participate in shaping future healthcare delivery, as they own the essential communications infrastructure needed for mobile communications to become a core tool in the industry,” said Frost information and communication technologies research analyst Malgorzata Filar. “They have also built trust with their customers and can supply user-centric services.”

Frost estimates that M2M revenues of telecom service providers in Europe will grow to EUR 2.6 billion by 2016, up from EUR 600 million in 2010.

Related Links:
Frost & Sullivan
Orange Business Services
Telefonica