Verizon highlighted a growing opportunity for a combination of its neutral host and private 5G networks for healthcare providers, due to a surge in data related to electronic patient records, connected equipment and telehealth.

To meet increasing demand, the operator is deploying its neutral host offering for patients, visitors, and other public-network users and private 5G for mission critical operations.

The neutral host network provides strengthened mobile signals for the general public on hospital premises, requiring no special sign in or authentication from visitors. It works for customers of rivals AT&T and Verizon as well as all prepaid and post-paid services, according to a representative from Verizon.

The private 5G networks support critical care delivery, sensitive data workflows and future tech innovation, with dedicated bandwidth and improved security.

Verizon stated healthcare facilities can start with neutral host capabilities and then activate the high bandwidth, low latency private 5G as needs arise. Ericsson is the vendor for both of the on-premises network buildouts.

Jennifer Artley, SVP of 5G acceleration for Verizon Business, stated as digital adoption continues to increase in the healthcare sector, “providers require scalable network solutions with access across multiple sites and use cases”.