In Singapore, a groundbreaking service for seafarers is set to launch in July, enabling sick workers at sea to receive medical consultations via video calls and have medicine delivered by drones. This initiative is a collaboration between telecommunications firm M1 and healthcare provider Fullerton Health, designed to enhance medical access for those employed by shipping companies in the region.
The service is powered by M1’s recently launched 5G maritime network, which boasts a range extending at least 15 kilometers from its base stations located at St John’s Island, with additional stations planned for Bukom Island and Raffles Lighthouse later this year and further expansions by 2025. This advanced network enables seamless video consultations, a significant improvement over traditional phone or email communications which often suffer from connectivity issues. Walter Lim, country manager of Fullerton Health, emphasized that timely medical consultations will alleviate the burden of transporting patients to mainland facilities, costing between $300 and $600 per trip.
With the capabilities of the 5G network, doctors can provide clearer assessments of patients’ conditions through video conferencing, allowing for informed decisions regarding treatment. Non-urgent cases, such as stomach issues or minor wounds, can receive medication within three hours without needing to dock a boat at the mainland. Currently, Fullerton Health reports an average of five medical consultations per week from vessels at sea, leveraging the expertise of at least 15 doctors available through the LiveFuller app.
This maritime 5G network is the first of its kind, developed through a partnership involving the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, and M1 since its inception in 2019. With 5G technology providing up to ten times faster speeds than 4G, the network supports unmanned vehicles and enhances operational safety with improved real-time location data compared to traditional satellite systems.
In addition to telemedicine, M1 is introducing new 5G services such as maritime surveillance, allowing vessels to implement real-time camera systems that streamline security and monitoring operations. For a fee, workers on ships can also acquire smart wearables to track their health and location, contributing to overall safety while at sea.
M1’s chief executive, Manjot Singh Mann, noted that these innovations represent initial use cases of 5G technology in maritime settings, with plans to explore further applications. This initiative is part of a broader 5G rollout that will also include unmanned electric vessels for waterway management and the deployment of 5G-enabled robots in manufacturing facilities, highlighting the extensive potential for technology to transform various industries in Singapore.
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