Verizon Targets Healthcare, Defense and Public Safety With 5G Use Cases

Mobile carrier Verizon this week announced a connected healthcare project, an “ultra-secure” 5G setup for the Department of Defense and 5G features aimed at public safety professionals that showcase the new wireless technology’s capabilities for making communications faster — and more secure.

Overcoming Healthcare Hurdles

Verizon’s connected healthcare project aims to create a single, secure infrastructure that will help healthcare professionals access data, collaborate and share resources. Developed in collaboration with Visionable, a British health technology company, it will focus on opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The two organizations plan to open a “Connected Healthcare Center” in the U.K., where they will create and showcase new concepts, and new technologies like Verizon’s private 5G, for the healthcare industry.

Health professionals “are often forced to work in silos as a result of strict compliance regulations, patient privacy concerns and technology restrictions — this is about to change,” Scott Lawrence, vice president of Verizon Business EMEA, said in a press release. “Technologies such as private 5G have the potential to shift the landscape around how healthcare is delivered; empowering professionals, sharing intelligence and improving the quality of care they provide.”

Letting Customers Field, Scale and Deploy Faster

Verizon and Lockheed Martin will collaborate on 5G.MIL technologies that will provide “ultra-secure,” reliable connections for the Department of Defense. Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL program is a 5G-enabled “network of networks” that integrates military tactical, strategic and enterprise networks, leveraging existing telecommunication infrastructure technology. This bolsters resilience by reducing single points of failure, the companies said.

“Our work with Lockheed Martin will enable the creation of new and innovative products and technologies, helping DOD leaders achieve the goals laid out in their 5G strategy,” Kyle Malady, chief technology officer at Verizon, said in a press release.

Rod Makoske, chief engineer and senior vice president of engineering and technology at Lockheed Martin, said, “Leveraging commercial 5G technologies with military-grade enhancements will let customers field, scale and deploy this technology faster and in more operational environments.”

Providing Network Reliability and Interoperability

Verizon Frontline, which supplies a network and technology for first responders, outlined the enhanced communication and technological capabilities enabled by 5G that are most relevant to public safety professionals.

Among these are network reliability and interoperability — the ability to communicate across agencies, regardless of network or device — as well as faster speeds, low latency, and the ability to send larger files, stream HD videos from anywhere and connect a larger number of devices.

Verizon reported that smartphones have passed land mobile radio systems (LMRs) as the main way first responders communicate on the job and that internet-connected vehicles, drones and tablets are expected to see significant growth.