RSSeHealth news & analysis
BT leads ranking of top 30 operators in global healthcare markets
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More than 90 per cent of the world’s 40 largest telecom network operator groups are active in the enterprise healthcare market, according to research from Informa Telecoms & Media. And a ranking of all operators – based on their commitment to the healthcare market worldwide – puts BT in top spot, closely followed by Verizon and France Telecom.

Disappointing results from world’s largest telehealth trial
The reduction in hospital admission costs is “not significant” the report found

In a blow to operators’ ambitions for the telehealth market, results from the world’s largest randomised trial have cast doubt on the cost benefits of managing long-term conditions at home. The UK’s Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) program monitored the progress of 3,230 people with diabetes, pulmonary disease or heart failure over the course of 12 months from 2008-9. In the first of five peer-reviewed evaluations just published, academics from the Nuffield Trust and eight universities conclude that the reduction in hospital admission costs is “not significant”.

Telefonica drives innovation through partnerships

Speaking at an event in London on Thursday, Matthew Key, head of Telefónica Digital since its inception nine months ago, said his unit expects to drive annual revenues of approximately €5bn by 2015 with an annual revenue growth rate of 20 per cent.

Mobile health and fitness devices gain momentum at CES

Among the massive displays of TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices and other gadgets at last week’s International Consumer Electronics Show, mobile health and fitness solutions were among the most dynamic new areas of focus at the conference.

Convergent billing moves African m-health offering

African healthcare provider Sanlam Health has struck a deal with systems integrator GlobeTOM to offer mobile health services to large undeveloped areas of Africa.

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Features
On the up: Changing lives in Brazil
Children in their connected classroom in the village of Suruacá

Brazil’s economy is growing fast, with 40 million people making the transition to the new middle class in the last ten years. But while there is visible wealth in certain areas of big cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro there is still huge poverty, both urban and rural. Against this backdrop, communications services are being deployed to change the lives of millions of people.

Healthy Prospects
Mobile operators are well positioned to help the health sector to modernise, cut costs and improve efficiencies

Healthcare is arguably the most complex vertical sector in the world. It has also been one of the slowest to invest in It. Mobile operators are well positioned to help the health sector to modernise, cut costs and improve efficiencies and, in doing so, establish themselves at the centre of an industry that is only going to carry on growing.

Interviews
Doctor WHO
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Nascent m-health initiatives are under threat from a lack of structural support and funding. This is where the World Health Organisation comes in—and operators have a crucial part to play.

The Orange glow of health
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Orange has had a dedicated e-health unit in place since 2007. The unit is headed by Thierry Zylberberg, who spoke to Telecoms.com about the the intricacies of the health sector and the best ways for telcos help it improve efficiencies, and drive new revenue streams for themselves.