“Weeks after the Veterans Affairs Department rolled out plans to steer one of the world’s first 5G-enabled hospitals in February, the emergence of the novel coronavirus presented a stark disruption.”
“But according to a federal official driving the effort, the nascent-but-evolving infrastructure is generating needed capabilities and a foundation for innovation, even as the pandemic persists…”
“In the recent conversation, Osborne detailed how VA quickly pivoted to reprioritize efforts early in the public health emergency, and made progress on the next-generation wireless endeavor despite the difficulties that arose in its first six months of existence. He also shed light on insiders’ evolving vision for what’s to come and what they’re learning along the way…”
“At the launch of the 5G effort in February, Verizon delivered what it deems a “network on wheels” to Palo Alto’s facility. Osborne said the standalone, zero-trust system provides advanced wireless capabilities in a defined area in the hospital. The team had also developed a roadmap to relay the signal across the hospital’s campus by the end of the year in hopes to eventually integrate 5G-enabled innovation into surgical care.”
“Though insiders are considering extending the signal’s reach with antenna and cells if need be, Osborne said the team is also looking into whether it would be more effective and efficient to lay physical fiber—another way to deliver 5G. The intention would ultimately be to “bring that into a central communicating hub in the hospital infrastructure, and then relay that signal throughout the entire health care system,” he explained. Working with partners, Osborne said VA officials are now puzzling out a plan to bring physical fiber into the hospital…” Read the full article here.
Source: Six Months into VA’s 5G-Enabled Hospital Project – By Brandi Vincent, August 11, 2020. Nextgov.
