The next generation (5G) of wireless communication will be able to operate on something called the millimeter spectrum, i.e. the band between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. (4G LTE operates at much lower frequencies: below 6 GHz. 5G will be able to leverage both low and high frequencies, giving it significant flexibility.) Millimeter waves are much smaller and faster and thus able to transmit large packets of data without clogging the network, an advance that is crucial to the healthcare industry as connectivity becomes central to care. Using a high-speed network with a larger bandwidth can significantly reduce transmission times. For example, the Austin Cancer Center used to transmit medical images after hours when there was less demand on the network. However, which allows the facility to increase and decrease its bandwidth as needed, the facility can transmit the files as soon as the patient leaves the scanner. When medical facilities switch to 5G, these transmissions could be even faster and more reliable.
Quickly transmitting large imaging files: Adding a high-speed 5G network to existing architectures can help quickly and reliably transport huge data files of medical imagery, which can improve both access to care and the quality of care
Expandign Telemedicine: Telemedicine requires a network that can support real-time high-quality video, which often means wired networks. With 5G, healthcare systems can enable mobile networks to handle telemedicine appointments, which can greatly increase the reach of the program
Reliable, real-time remote monitoring: With 5G technology, which has lower latency and higher capacity, healthcare systems can offer remote monitoring for more patients. Providers can then be confident that they will receive the data they need in real time and can provide the care their patients need and expect.
It is important to understand that 5G technology isn't just an extension of 4G. It is much more than that. 5G technology is a network that combines Wi-Fi, 4G, millimeter wavelength radio frequency, and wireless-access technologies, allowing mobile connection speeds to exceed 100 megabits per second. 5G technology also leverages the power of virtualized network core, intelligent edge services, and cloud infrastructure. What is most interesting about 5G is its ability to use a model that gets insights from millions of devices across the globe. There are 4 important factors that set 5G technology apart from its predecessors:
Fast & intelligent networks
Low latency
Backend services
Connected devices
This shift in capabilities enables real time aggregation and analysis of data, moving wireless technology from communication to computing. It allows 5G to enable a fully connected and interactive world with a wide variety of applications across industries.
Why is 5G an Enabling Technology for Healthcare?
5G networks offer new avenues for the delivery of health care. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is part of the Internet of Things (IoT). This massive network is poised to include billions of low-bit rate and low-energy connected health monitoring devices, remote sensors, and clinical wearables, with 5G providing a backbone infrastructure for IoT. Doctors will rely on these devices to collect and electronically transmit their patients’ data. The data will be received in real time, allowing healthcare providers to efficiently analyse it, derive insights, and administer or adjust treatments. On the diagnostics and prevention side, this data will also allow doctors to increase the accuracy of their diagnoses and therefore effectiveness of treatments.
The main characteristic of the 5G is the speed, for this reason, it will be very useful for the transmission of data in real time through remote monitoring devices. Another benefit of the 5G will be the increase in the use of specialized health apps that require to transmit large amounts of information to the eHR or personal medical records.
An important property of 5G networks will be much lower latency and much higher reliability which makes it appropriate for sensitive applications such as wireless surgeries.
For me, it only make sense to answer your question based on an understanding of the challenges and the needs of the "Health Care Industry" in your particular context. While 5G will come with the potential to make impact in many ways, the context of India may challenge realizing them in terms of financial, human capacity and institutional challenges.