Connected health device connections to double in five years

DALLAS — Mobile carriers will help bridge the divide between care providers and consumers, particularly in regards to health data collection and transfer, as well as communications between providers and patients, according to a recent Parks Associates report, given their established relationships with consumers, expertise in providing consumer-facing services, and connection to consumers’ mobile devices. 

 

“Digital health is an important part of the Internet of Everything, and wireless carriers need to align their connected health businesses with their larger connected living strategies,” stated Jennifer Kent, director, research quality and innovation at Parks Associates. “Mobile carriers have multiple opportunities to provide value for business customers and consumers, though the landscape differs significantly by region," she said. “However, carriers can play a valuable role in the consumer space."

 

The research firm reported that connected health devices accounted for approximately 4% of all M2M (machine-to-machine) connections in the United States in 2014. Parks Associates estimates that portion will double over the next five years as the healthcare vertical catches up to other, more mature M2M verticals, such as automotive and industrial telematics.

 

More than 40 million smartphone owners are active users of at least one wellness or fitness app, Parks Associates reported. About 1-in-4 heads of household in broadband households use a mobile app to track their fitness progress or calorie intake, and the research firm expects usage and adoption to increase with the release of new mobile form factors such as the Apple Watch.