Page 36 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

our Alliance Channel program. Now, we are within Partner Exchange to resell or refer launched Fiber Fast, which speeds up the
simplifying and streamlining parts of the new business. The partnerships also help installation of AT&T Dedicated Internet
order entry process for our master solution to bridge the gap for solution providers to as little as 5 to 20 days. Now we have
providers to save them time. We’ve also who may not have a mature practice in automated the process, allowing solution
launched a new Alliance Channel partner these product areas but do have customers providers to qualify and quote an address
marketing tool that enhances program that need these solutions. “The ecosystem for Fiber Fast in near real-time within the
members ability to promote AT&T products partnership has allowed us to expand into AT&T Partner Exchange portal or via our
and solutions using advertising, email and new product lines without having to use API platform. AT&T continues to be the
social media campaigns. up a lot of resources. And we have been largest U.S.-based provider of fiber for
AT&T Partner Exchange able to meet customer demand in ways business services. Nationwide, more than
AT&T Partner Exchange is giving its we couldn’t before,” said John Agathon, 8 million business customer locations are
solution providers more ways to earn senior partner, Atron Solutions, LLC. “It is on or within 1,000 feet of our fiber, and
business. We recently launched a new set a valuable addition to our business. The we connect more than 2.5 million U.S.
of ecosystem partner programs for our IoT, ability to offer a plan with no overages has business customer locations with fiber
AT&T Cybersecurity, and mobility product been the closer for customers who wish today.
offerings. The programs allow solution to control costs and not have runaway
providers to team up with other businesses usage charges.” Earlier this year we

BT Demos VR and AR Over 5G for Connected

Ambulance Applications

BT has demonstrated the use of virtual and augmented
reality (VR/AR) over 5G to allow clinicians to remotely assess
and diagnose a patient, and view medical records. The
showcase took place with University Hospitals Birmingham
NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), following the launch of BT’s 5G
network in Birmingham earlier this year. It also follows the
UK’s first demonstration of a remote-controlled ultrasound
scan over the 5G network in June. The presentation showed
a paramedic working from an ambulance in the Edgbaston
area of Birmingham, being linked over the 5G network
to a clinician based over two miles away at the Medical
Devices Testing and Evaluation Centre (MD-TEC) in UHB’s
simulation lab. Wearing a specially equipped VR headset, the
clinician can visualize exactly what the paramedic sees in
the ambulance. Using a joystick, the clinician can remotely
direct the paramedic. They can also send control signals to
a robotic or ‘haptic’ glove worn by the paramedic. The glove for both hospital and ambulance trusts by reducing the number of
creates small vibrations that direct the paramedic’s hand to referrals into hospital and patient trips.” Dave Rosser, UHB Chief
where the clinician wants the ultrasound sensor to be moved. Executive, said: “We are excited by the huge potential of 5G technology
A camera in the ambulance transmits a high-definition view and how it can help transform healthcare in the future. We believe it
of the inside of the ambulance, paramedic and patient. has the potential to create more efficient use of healthcare resources,
Together with live feeds of the patient’s ultrasound scan, the particularly with regards to easing the burden on A&E services which are
clinician can recognize vital signs and view medical records facing unprecedented demand.” He added, “At present, the urgent care
in real-time via the VR headset. Fotis Karonis, CTIO and 5G system is based on an antiquated model and our centers are dealing
executive lead for BT Enterprise, said, “Not only is 5G capable with huge numbers of patients every day. The characteristics of 5G mean
of ultrafast speeds, it has much lower latency meaning it should provide many advantages, including speeding up diagnoses
there is little to no delay when transmitting data over the for patients and potentially reducing the number of ambulance and
network.” This means things happen in ‘real-time’ so this is A&E department visits. “In particular, being able to perform diagnoses
of significant interest to the NHS because of its potential for remotely means a doctor or clinician could determine an appropriate
medical applications, such as diagnostics and preventative care pathway without necessarily having to see someone in hospital.”
healthcare. “This capability provides efficiency opportunities

36 NOVEMBER 2019