FCC www.fcc.gov in a public notice released on April 24, 2017 seeks ideas and comments from the public on how to improve the adoption of broadband especially in rural and underserved areas. The FCC is interested in not only suggestions but also invites input on policies or initiatives that the FCC could implement to further spur deployment and adoption of broadband services.
The FCC is interested in hearing comments from the public so that the FCC can possibly implement or work in collaboration with other agencies to ensure that the services and technologies will be available to accelerate the adoption of broadband.
Some of the questions that the FCC would like the public to provide answers includes:
- How can be current use of broadband augment or transform existing healthcare delivery?
- What healthcare settings are currently using broadband-enabled services and technologies besides large medical hospitals?
- What are some of the future plans for using broadband-enabled health services and technologies not only by clinicians and hospitals but by other facilities?
- How can health technologies and services take advantage of new technological applications and emerging communications networks?
- What impact is the Internet of Things going to have on broadband-enabled health technologies and on telehealth and telemedicine?
- Will the fully connected environment around individuals shift the point of care delivery?
- What changes if any are anticipated in existing broadband-enabled health services and technologies operating over current mobile networks?
- To what extent will telehealth and telemedicine be impacted by the availability of 5G networks?
- What medical device innovations are anticipated to be developed using 5G network?
- What efforts are being made at the state and local levels to address broadband health technology accessibility issues in rural and remote areas, Tribal lands, and underserved urban areas?
The FCC sees some evidence that real-time image manipulation and video used for telestroke and tele-emergency applications will stimulate demand for more and better broadband and at lower prices. FCC questions if mobile health applications will present unique considerations in terms of coverage, reliability and security, and how the FCC should address these issues.
The FCC also seeks suggestions on how the Connect2Health Task Force can effectively and efficiently identify any gaps in delivering broadband-enabled health technologies in the country and why these gaps exist.
http://transition.fcc.fov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0424/FCC-17-46A.pdf has information on the Public Notice released April 24, 2017 with information on submitting comments and suggestions from the public. The comments are due May 24, 2017.
For more questions or information on the public document “FCC Seeks Comment and Data on Actions to Accelerate Adoption and Accessibility of Broadband-Enabled Healthcare Solutions and Advanced Technology” (GN Docket No. 16-46), call Ben Bartolome, Special Counsel for the “Connect2health Task Force” at 770-935-3383.