NEC has rolled out a Mobile WiMAX pilot system for Thailands Crown Prince Hospital Foundation. NEC was awarded the contract to set up a WiMAX network between Chiang Khong Crown Prince Hospital, a large community hospital located in the countrys northern region, and its affiliated primary care units (PCU), in August 2008.
Thailands broadband communications infrastructure is currently undergoing expansion, but the vast majority of growth is concentrated in the Bangkok metropolitan area. As efforts to promote broadband expansion outside of Bangkok progress, expectations for WiMAX wireless broadband infrastructure are also on the rise. In January, 2008 trial licences were issued to 12 communications carriers in order to introduce WiMAX service nationwide. Early indications show that despite regional constraints and usage limitations, demand for WiMAX access, beyond large scale services, currently exists. NEC regards its WiMAX services for Chiang Khong medical care as part of the expansion of local demand.
The Chiang Khong Crown Prince hospital WiMAX services provide wireless broadband communications to locations within a maximum of 5km, which currently includes three affiliated PCUs, and expands communications beyond fixed analogue telephone lines to include new video and TV phone services that can assist with remote medical consultation.
Patients that were formerly limited to visiting only major hospitals for certain treatments will now be able to receive quality care from the convenience of a local clinic. Furthermore, the efficiency of daily medical care will also improve by granting doctors access to high speed transmission for large capacity data, including images and information forwarded from PCUs for consultation.
The projects cost-effectiveness will be evaluated after one year of operation to explore the possibility of expanding the WiMAX system to cover all 20 Crown Prince Hospitals throughout the country. NEC says it will monitor the success of Chiang Khongs remote medical care system in order to determine the best way to introduce new WiMAX services to other Foundation affiliates.