Peter Morton gave a presentation at BAPCO 2020 on a UK Space Agency funded partnership project between industry and public sector to test a hybrid cellular and satellite communications system.

The paper describes a partnership between a commercial enterprise and a unique public sector organisation in order to improve connectivity of clinical teams in rural areas. From sending vital signs to on call consultants, or accessing healthcare records, through to high resolution live ultrasound images being streamed to specialists, the project will assess whether satellite technology can facilitate this. Areas of assessment include technical aspects, as well as user acceptance from a broad range of users including air ambulance critical care teams, district nursing teams, and commanders of major incidents.

• In the vehicle, the system will use cellular, wi-fi and satellite, to provide resilient connections.
• The unit’s wi-fi hotspot will enable the connection of NHS laptops, smart phones, tablets, voice over IP (VoIP) radios and medical devices and the bandwidth demand can be managed using a video encoder and proprietary video software.
• Out of the vehicle, the unit can support peripatetic health and social care workers.

TWL has already developed and deployed first responder solutions for  air ambulance and law enforcement use.

Give us a call or drop us an email to find out more on similar solutions in many sectors.