IoT in Healthcare is traditionally split into 3 segments, Telecare, Telehealth and Telemedicine where Telecare primarily deals with life-critical applications and business operations.

Telecare generally refers to technology that allows consumers to stay safe and independent in their own homes. For example, telecare may include consumer-oriented health and fitness apps, sensors and tools that connect consumers with family members or other caregivers or digital medication reminder systems.

To ensure maximum reliability and uninterrupted service Tele2 IoT recommends all Telecare customers to follow our recommendations and mandatory requirements in the areas listed below.

Importance of Redundant Connectivity Solutions

For Telecare and similar critical applications, it is essential to secure maximum service reliability and avoid interruptions. To protect vulnerable end-user and to reduce downtime impact Tele2 strongly recommends implementing a redundant communication setup, such as dual SIM, mobile + Wi-Fi, or mobile + Ethernet. This safeguards the solution from single points of failure and ensures continuous operation, even if one connection fails. By choosing to use a single connectivity solution without redundancy, the customer acknowledges the risks associated with such a setup during mobile network service interruptions, including the potential impact on the end user.

In combination with the redundant connectivity solution Tele2 IoT recommends the below listed device capabilities and customer solution set up. While not mandatory, these actions are strongly encouraged to improve service resilience and safety.

Device and Solution recommendations for Telecare and Critical applications

• Battery Backup for Power – suggested to reduce downtime due to power failure. Ensures continuous operation during power outages, which is crucial for maintaining the functionality of critical systems and preventing data loss or service interruptions.
• Device Testing Process – regular testing helps identify potential issues before they become critical, ensuring the device operates reliably and meets performance standards. This can prevent costly failures and improve overall system stability.
• Device Auto-Recovery Feature – suggested to minimize downtime. Enables the device to automatically recover from errors or malfunctions, reducing the need for manual intervention and ensuring continuous operation. This feature helps maintain system reliability and availability.
• Remote Access and Configuration Possibilities – APN, config change over the air allows administrators to remotely access and configure the device, making it easier to manage and update settings without needing physical access.
• Failover Testing – regular failover testing ensures that backup systems and processes are functioning correctly and can take over seamlessly in case of a primary system failure. This helps maintain service continuity and minimizes downtime during unexpected outages. Customers should test failover once per year.
• Standardized Network Logs – customers should be able to provide network logs for troubleshooting and disputes. Having standardized network logs is crucial for diagnosing issues, resolving disputes, and ensuring accountability. These logs provide a detailed record of network activity, which can be invaluable for identifying the root cause of problems and verifying compliance with service agreements.
• DDoS Protection for VPN Traffic – Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can overwhelm network resources, leading to service outages and degraded performance. Implementing DDoS protection for VPN traffic helps safeguard against these attacks, ensuring that critical communications remain secure and uninterrupted.

Mandatory Services for Telecare Customers

All customers operating within the Telecare segment or other critical applications are required to enroll in the following areas and services from Tele2 IoT:

• Devices must adhere to Annex 6, Tele2 IoT Network communication policy
• Dedicated Technical Service Manager – a dedicated person that can help with early diagnosis of faults, working in parallel to INOC teams
• Emergency communication plan – Customer needs to have Roaming Restrictions ready for Emergency Complans for valid countries
• Private APN
• Redundant backhaul on APN (IPSEC/IPVPN) – including confirmation that the secondary tunnel is up and running and that they do not point to the same endpoint.

Following these guidelines is crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of Telecare services. By adhering to both the recommended and mandatory requirements, customers can significantly reduce the risk of service interruptions and enhance the overall effectiveness of their Telecare or other critical solutions. Tele2 IoT is committed to supporting our customers in maintaining the highest standards of service and reliability in the healthcare sector.

For any further questions, please reach out to your Account Manager in Tele2 IoT or contact us here.