Medics and academics have announced a partnership programme aimed at developing first-of-a-kind 5G video compression and data transfer solutions that could have a major impact on healthcare services.
Through a partnership programme dubbed the Knowledge Transfer Programme Partnership (KTP), IT firm, Pangea Connected, is teaming up with Kingston University to explore uncharted territory and apply the power of a 5G network to data transferal.
The technology they’re developing is the first of its kind; which means they’ll be the first to bring this capability to the market.
The project’s aim is to develop enriched video compression and data transfer techniques over 4G+ and 5G networks, unlocking ground-breaking speed and quality capabilities with huge implications.
For example, medics could use ambulance video streams to triage patients before reaching A&E, meaning speedier and potentially life-saving response times.
We will be looking at how to ensure the moving images arrive in high definition, allowing for accurate medical diagnosis
It is estimated that ambulance trusts could save up to £90m if response times were improved by just five minutes.
The team includes Kingston University’s Professor of Wireless Communications, Christos Politis; and video compression specialist, associate professor, Nada Philip.
“Alongside speed increases, which will rival those delivered by optical fibre’ 5G will incorporate IoT technology, which opens up so many possibilities for the health sector and across the emergency services through the use of smart devices,’ said Professor Politis.
Dr Philip, who specialises in video compression, said one of the challenges was how to deliver optimal high-quality video consistently through wireless networks when travelling at high speed.
“When you stream multimedia content, it will be affected by different network conditions,” he said.
“We will be looking at how to ensure the moving images arrive in high definition, allowing for accurate medical diagnosis.”
The research has been made possible through support provided by Innovate UK, a government-backed public body focused on driving productivity and economic growth.
“We’re proud to be at the forefront of the push for 5G,” said Pangea’s managing director, Dan Cunliffe.
The solution will be the first of its kind in the world and it will completely transform how video and other data compression is used across industries and unlock fresh revenue streams for our partners and bring us a step closer to a 5G world
“By combining our connectivity, commercial expertise, and channel access with the power and knowledge of Kingston University’s academics, along with access to its 5G testbed, we’ll pave the way for data transferal over powerful 5G networks.
“The solution will be the first of its kind in the world and it will completely transform how video and other data compression is used across industries and unlock fresh revenue streams for our partners and bring us a step closer to a 5G world.
“We’re excited to embark on this journey alongside Kingston University, and we’re privileged to have the opportunity to develop such incredible technology.”
