Telefónica O2 introduces its eHealth concept

Oct 1, 2009

Telefónica O2 Czech Republic introduced its strategy for development in the health care industry today. The company expects markedly raise its revenues in this field by 2012 and projects that health and assistance services based on modern technologies (eHealth) will become one of the fastest growing markets for suppliers of computer technology and mobile telephony in the coming years. At the same time, the global Telefónica group, to which the Czech branch of O2 belongs, is investing over 4.6 billion Euros into the research and development of new technologies every year. A substantial portion of this investment is allocated to the field of health care.

"The application of modern technologies is absolutely vital to the health care industry," says David Šita, Vice-President for State Administration, Telefónica O2, when commenting on the eHealth strategy, adding, "It is a segment in which the participants consist of every resident of a given country and that is essential to the operation of entire economies. At the same time, expenditures on health care range in the tens of billions. In this sphere, however, there is growing pressure to achieve greater efficiency and lower costs, which is the main argument for more extensive use of modern information technologies."

In Spain and in Latin American markets, the introduction of the first wave of these products, which will also appear on our market soon, is underway. They consist of, for instance, the "MiFamilia" service, in which the company installs its own operating system, featuring simple controls for seniors and people with specific needs and functions for assistance and emergency services, on phones. The relatives of the owner of such a phone can use the internet to adjust the settings of the device and, if necessary, determine its location.

Another service is the "Rehabitic" solution, which enables patients to exercise and do their rehabilitation using a special device and a mobile connection. The system guides the patient as they are exercising, sends the results to a doctor and, if required, the patient can then use the device to consult with their doctor. A separate product for doctors and specialists is the "Colabora"system, which enables users to do consultations and browse pictures and X-rays and laboratory results, connect to internal databases, and much more online. The Czech branch of Telefónica O2 expects that the three aforementioned services will appear on our market within several months.

"Research and development in eHealth is a very expensive concern that requires an ample amount of experience and specialized devices. Our big advantage is our background of working with strong multi-national companies and having the opportunity to contribute to their successes. For this reason our customers in health care will be able to acquire some of the best technology in the world," states Filip Linhart, eHealth Project Manager, Telefónica O2.

While developing products for the health care industry, Telefónica is focusing on three main areas - ICT, TeleMedicine, and TeleCare. The first area ( ICT) consists of services and solutions for the operators of health facilities and institutions. It concerns, for instance, hospital information systems, the supply of mobile and data telephony, devices for administration and storage of health care documentation, and the comprehensive supply of computer technology and IT infrastructures. This can be provided in the form of a service, which in practice means that the customer does not have to purchase computers and network devices; rather, they can simply rent what they need for a monthly fee.

The field of TeleMedicine consists of all solutions in which modern technologies influence a patient and their treatment directly. It concerns, for instance, remote medical consultation services and examinations by means of video calls, following vital functions and monitoring them online, remote rehabilitation under the supervision of health care personnel, ordering examinations, and reminders to take medication. The last area is TeleCare, which concerns products from the fields of assisted and social care. These include phones that enable one to monitor a patient's location (e.g. for persons suffering from Alzheimer's Disease), assistance for the blind and deaf, mobiles with emergency buttons for seniors, etc.

At this time, ICT products prevail in terms of volume of provided services, but the operator expects that the importance of remote assistance and health care services will continue to grow. This is related primarily to the insufficiency of qualified health care personnel that can, in some cases, be replaced by modern technology. Other important factors include the aging population, the patient's increased right to decide on their treatment, the preference of home remedies over hospital stays, and the rapid development of new methods and techniques for treating patients. Another significant aspect is the economic side, since properly implemented information and telecommunications technologies can cut costs for health insurance, hospitals, and the patients themselves.

The Czech branch of O2 is currently offering eHealth products. They include Emporia mobile phones, which are designed for seniors, and special end-user devices for the deaf, people with impaired vision, the blind, the physically disabled, and people with limited mobility. The operator also provides ZTP cardholders considerable discounts on calling, and it assists the operation of the Senior Inspect emergency line. Its position in the field of supplying ICT services is also very strong; Telefónica O2 provides these services for the State Institute for Drug Control, the Ministry of Health, VZP, Metal Alliance Health Insurance, Occupational Health Insurance, the General Faculty Hospital in Prague, and Health Insurance of the Ministry of the Interior.

Contacts
Martin Žabka
Spokesperson
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s.
public.relations.cz@o2.com
tel: 800 163 342 (800 1 media)

About Telefónica O2 Czech Republic

Telefónica O2 Czech Republic is a major integrated operator in the Czech Republic. It is now operating more than seven million lines, both fixed and mobile, making it one of the world’s leading providers of fully converged services. The organization offers the most comprehensive portfolio of voice and data services in this country. It is paying special attention to the exploitation of the growth potential, particularly in the data and Internet sector. Telefónica O2 Czech Republic operates the largest fixed and mobile network including a 3rd generation network, CDMA (for data), and UMTS, enabling voice, data and video transmission. Telefónica O2 Czech Republic is also a notable provider of ICT services.

About Telefónica Europe

Telefónica Europe is a business division of Telefónica comprising mobile, fixed, and DSL operations in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. With the exception of Isle of Man, all the operating businesses use 'O2' as their consumer brand. Telefónica Europe also has 50% ownership of the UK and Irish Tesco Mobile and German Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venture businesses. Telefónica Europe is headquartered in Slough, UK, and has 49 million mobile and fixed customers.

About Telefónica

Telefónica is one of the world’s largest telecommunications operators by market capitalisation. Its activities are centred mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses, while its broadband business is the key growth driver underpinning both. It operates in 25 countries and has a global customer base of 260 million. Telefónica’s growth strategy is focused on the markets in which it has a strong foothold: Spain, Europe and Latin America. Telefónica is a 100% private sector company with its shares listed in Madrid and other stock exchanges and more than 1.5 million individual shareholders.