Introducing reliable, accessible mobility solutions for healthcare services is an important area of growth and development for 5G globally. In Taiwan, with a clearly identified need for technological answers to health challenges presented by, among other things, an aging population, there is an opportunity for companies like Chunghwa Telecom, alongside partners like Ericsson, to use the capabilities of 5G networks to help improve healthcare services. Eyeing that potential to contribute positively to the society, and develop new business models for 5G, Chunghwa Telecom recently developed 5G connected ambulances utilizing Ericsson’s end-to-end network slicing technology.

This field trial was completed on Chunghwa’s 5G standalone (SA) network in collaboration with Ericsson and St. Paul’s Hospital. With network slicing capabilities, the 5G connected ambulances allow transmission of vital signs and real-time data in high-resolution 4K videos, facilitating remote diagnosis and quicker decision-making. Clinicians can access diagnostic exams conducted in the field, optimizing treatment plans even before the patient arrives at the hospital. Additionally, clinicians can provide instant guidance to the paramedic to take necessary actions, ultimately saving lives and improving outcomes.

Dr. Wang Fenglin, Associate Dean of St. Paul’s Hospital, commented, “Connected ambulances will play a crucial role in assisting emergency department staff in targeting treatment and prioritizing urgent cases. Time is the most critical resource in emergency care and every second counts. In the past, clinical assessment of the patient could only start once they arrived at the hospital, but now 5G makes a difference. “

Network slicing, a key feature of 5G standalone architecture, empowers communication service providers (CSPs) to tailor connectivity services for specific use cases. By leveraging Ericsson end-to-end network slicing technology, powered by Ericsson 5G Core network, Chunghwa Telecom is able to optimize network performance demanded by the 5G connected ambulances. It can ensure that patient information is readily available to clinicians through an isolated and high-speed network slice created through Ericsson’s Dynamic Radio Resource Partitioning, securing capacity and stable communications that lead to more efficient and effective care.

Alex Chien, President of Network Technology Group of Chunghwa Telecom, stated, “The partnership between Chunghwa Telecom, Ericsson and St. Paul’s Hospital represents a significant advancement in emergency medical care. We are committed to enabling digital transformation for both public and private sectors with advanced 5G technology. This collaboration also demonstrates the power of technology to make positive impacts on the society.”

David Chou, President of Ericsson Taiwan, said, “We are delighted to work hand in hand with Chunghwa Telecom to empower medical profession with the benefits of network slicing capabilities, which can only be fully unleashed on 5G standalone networks. Globally, nearly 40 CSPs have launched 5G standalone commercial services in public networks, of which more than half are powered by Ericsson. We will continue to support our customers to create differentiated services to improve and save lives.”

According to joint research by Ericsson and Arthur D. Little (ADL), the global market size for network slicing in healthcare services is projected to reach USD 62 billion by 2030, with USD 23 billion addressable revenue for CSPs.