The importance of 4G coverage for the public sector

4G has become an important part of all our lives – it is something that we rely on when we are commuting, travelling, shopping and communicating with friends and family.

Whilst 4G coverage is important in most places, there are locations where it is quite simply essential. This is true in the public sector and, in particular, hospitals. In this article, we’ll explore why 4G is so important to invest in within hospitals and other public sector buildings.

Mobile connectivity allows patients to connect with their family members

When someone is in hospital, they are likely to want to update their friends and family about how they are, especially during an emergency. Of course, this could be done with a quick phone call or text message, however many hospital buildings, due to the way they are constructed and the building materials used, suffer from weak cellular signal, which can make this impossible.

In addition to this, many patients prefer to communicate using internet-based applications such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, which of course require mobile data. Whilst some hospitals offer guest WiFi, due to the high number of users, registration process and data and speed limitations, it is often unreliable.

Having mobile signal and 4G connectivity within hospitals drastically improves patient and visitor experience and wellbeing – they are more connected and at ease in an often-uncomfortable environment.

Mobile connectivity keeps people entertained whilst they wait

Waiting around in a hospital is not the most fun experience in the world and if you are sat around waiting to be seen, with nothing to do, then this is going to feel a whole lot longer. Patients and visitors experiencing long waiting times can become very frustrated and, in turn, could negatively affect the relationship with hospital staff members.

When 4G is provided within hospitals, patients can easily play games, browse social media, read the news and, most importantly, stay connected with friends and family. This will help patients keep entertained and ensure that they feel much more at ease during their time in hospital.

Mobile connectivity benefits the hospital staff too

It is not only the patients that can benefit from a good level of mobile signal and 4G coverage in a hospital – the staff can reap the rewards too. They need to communicate with each other and whilst they are moving around a large building, this can be time-consuming and difficult to do. If they can gain signal on their phone, then they can ensure that they are on call and ready to be contacted as and when they are needed. 4G also enables IoT and M2M connectivity, meaning doctors, nurses and other staff members can use modern software applications, designed to improve operations within healthcare.

In terms of staff wellbeing, mobile signal and 4G coverage can also help employees stay in touch with their family too, especially during long shifts. This will help ensure reduced stress levels, improve employee satisfaction, as well as employee health and safety.

As can be seen, there are several important reasons why hospitals and other public sector settings should invest in boosting mobile signal and 4G coverage within their buildings. As IoT continues to evolve, the public sector, and hospitals, in particular, must be ahead of the curve. Be sure to view our recent case study about our mobile repeater installation at The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, for further information.