5G in Health Care: 4 Revolutionary Use Cases

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Every second counts in health care. Even small delays in treatment can adversely affect outcomes, making speed and efficiency critical in every stage of care. Staff shortages, coupled with rising patient demand, often lead to longer wait times and increased pressure on medical teams. 

To address these challenges and improve patient care, health facilities are turning to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). This interconnected system of smart medical devices shares and analyzes data in real time. It leverages advanced technologies like 5G and edge artificial intelligence (AI).

5G and edge AI bring data processing closer to patients, enabling real-time monitoring and faster responses. Advanced tools help hospitals and care centers operate more efficiently and deliver faster, more precise care at scale. These innovations include smart devices and automated systems that handle routine tasks and enhance patient monitoring. 

As IoMT ushers in a new era in health care, 5G and edge AI provide faster, more accessible connected care for patients. 

5G and Edge AI Market Trends in Health Care 

The global 5G health care market is rapidly expanding and is anticipated to reach $389.19 billion by 2034. This growth is fueled by the health care industry’s shift toward patient-centered and value-based care (VBC). Remote surgeries are also on the rise. 

Edge AI’s global health care market size is projected to expand at an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% through 2030.

A significant driver of these trends is the widespread adoption of remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies. Over 85% of hospitals and health systems plan to make substantial investments in RPM. 

In addition to RPM, other market trends include:

• IoT-connected medical devices: IoMT enables real-time data collection and rapid responses for applications such as smart ambulances and remote health monitoring.
• Integration of AI with 5G-enabled devices: AI provides real-time data analytics for faster, more accurate diagnostics.
• Robotic and remote surgery: Advancements in robotics and AI in the operating room enable remote, complex procedures. They also enhance precision and reduce risk.

Revolutionary 5G Use Cases in Connected Health Care

Advanced technologies improve patient outcomes by delivering faster diagnostics and continuous monitoring. As providers seek reliable and secure digital solutions, 5G adoption is accelerating. 

These connected health care applications are made possible by 5G:

1. Connected Ambulances for Real-Time Care

First responders require secure, mobile access to transfer medical information en route during emergencies. Connected ambulances are equipped with advanced digital technology and use high-speed connectivity such as 5G.

With 5G ultrareliable low-latency communication (URLLC), ambulances can reliably transmit patient information. 

EMTs and paramedics share patient vitals and other critical data with hospital teams in real time. Doctors can advise treatment before the patient arrives, turning the ambulance into a mobile extension of the emergency department.

5G network slicing supports connected ambulances via multiple virtual networks on top of a shared physical infrastructure. Each slice stems from a single 5G network. Slices can be customized and grouped into dedicated channels and frequencies.

In 2025, T-Mobile released T-Priority, the nation’s first priority 5G network slice designed for first responders. First responders receive 40% higher capacity than alternative networks. This means network congestion won’t impede real-time communication and data sharing during emergency responses.

T-Mobile’s T-Satellite with Starlink is the most extensive satellite-to-cellular network in the U.S. Ambulances and first responders stay connected, even in mobile dead zones.  

2. Remote Expert Collaborations Bring Surgeons to the OR

With 5G, specialists can virtually attend surgeries worldwide. They connect seamlessly to operating rooms (ORs) to provide real-time guidance to remote teams.

Using 5G-enabled AR and VR headsets, clinicians receive step-by-step support from experts. Surgeons can also perform complicated operations remotely.

Chile’s health care system, like those of other countries, is strained. Specialists are scarce, especially in fields like oncology. Rural areas struggle for access to expert care. That’s why the Arturo Lopez Perez Foundation and NTT Group’s 5G live surgery broadcast was such a milestone. 

The live surgery streaming demonstrates how doctors and students across the country can watch and learn in real time. In addition to enabling remote education, 5G in health care allows rural patients to access specialists who were previously too far away.

In 2024, surgeons at the Nicholson Center in Orlando, Florida, performed groundbreaking 5G-enabled telesurgeries. The patients were in Dubai and Shanghai, more than 10,000 kilometers (6,000 miles) away.

These surgeries highlight how 5G’s ultralow latency allows robotic surgeons to operate remotely in real time. Patients can access life-saving care in distant areas, and physicians worldwide can learn and collaborate more easily.

That same year, specialized teams in Germany and France collaborated to explore how 5G and AI could transform the OR. Their 5G-OR project focused on streamlining surgical workflows and reducing complications through advanced technology. In the pilot trials, AI monitored vital signs and analyzed surgical data in real time. 5G facilitated robotic telesurgery and supported a mobile OR assistance robot.

3. 5G-Connected Medical Drones Save Time and Improve Access to Care

When fires or floods make roads impassable, first responders may be unable to reach the scene. Alternative solutions are essential in these critical moments, and connectivity plays a crucial role.

One option is the use of medical drones — uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are transforming health care logistics. 

Piloted remotely, 5G-connected drones provide a fast, reliable alternative for critical deliveries. Drones can transport vital medical supplies to emergency sites and remote or disaster-affected areas.  

5G’s ultralow latency allows precise UAV control, even in unpredictable conditions. High-speed connectivity supports real-time video streaming and telemetry, allowing operators to monitor routes and make quick adjustments. 

This reliability is crucial for delivering medical supplies to areas where traditional networks may fail. Combined with IoT sensors and AI, 5G ensures drones used in health care can:

• Navigate safely
• Share data instantly
• Maintain compliance with health care standards

More hospitals are using drones to deliver medications and supplies directly to patients’ homes. Several health systems across the U.S., including the Mayo Clinic, plan to integrate drone delivery into their care services. 5G connectivity ensures safe and efficient delivery by enabling:

• Real-time monitoring
• Remote control
• Data sharing

Rapid innovation and evolving rules are creating new possibilities for medical drone usage. With beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, use cases can expand. Using radar and AI for navigation, drones can safely deliver medical supplies to remote areas without a direct line of sight. 

4. 5G Private Networks for Secure Connected Health Care

Smart devices now play a larger role in monitoring patient health. In response, regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission have adopted rules for connected medical devices and data protection.

Stricter regulations ensure higher standards for safety and data security. Policies require authentication and tighter cybersecurity when communicating patient information. 

Private 5G networks help medical facilities comply with regulations and protect patient data. They also deliver advanced encryption and secure data management. Endpoints that connect to the network remain protected. 

With private 5G networks, hospitals can connect smart sensors and medical devices. These tools provide constant monitoring for patients’ vital signs. They can also alert staff when signs become critical. Providers can access patients’ health data wherever they are within a medical facility. 

Private 5G also enables the fast, secure transmission of large volumes of data, such as medical records. Health care providers can create a private, always-on network for sensitive data and applications using network slicing. 5G provides reliable connectivity throughout a facility, even in areas with limited Wi-Fi coverage. 

Real-time data transfer supports faster interventions and enhances patient safety. It also enables advanced tools like mobile imaging and remote surgery. The 5G-OR project utilized a private 5G network in its telesurgery trial.

Improve Patient Care with Telit Cinterion

5G’s advanced capabilities improve patient outcomes by enabling faster data sharing and real-time communication. Private 5G networks protect sensitive data and meet strict regulations. They keep devices and patient information secure while supporting high-speed connectivity across facilities.

Telit Cinterion has over 30 years of IoT experience. We deliver reliable, secure solutions that help providers upgrade with confidence. Our technology ensures compliance and supports the connectivity you need for modern care.

Take the next step and connect your IoT health care application. Speak with our experts to learn how Telit Cinterion can help you improve patient care with secure, real-time data.

Editor’s note: This blog was originally published on 24 July 2019 and has since been updated.