18 February 2025 | Oulu, Finland

The Hola 5G Oulu project is thrilled to announce the successful launch of its private 5G standalone (SA) network at Oulu University Hospital. Marking Europe’s first private 5G network in a functioning hospital, this achievement has the potential to revolutionise healthcare with advanced technology.

Through meticulous design, rigorous lab testing and comprehensive deployment, experts at Boldyn Networks have demonstrated the robust and reliable performance of their solutions in the demanding environment of a hospital. Connecting all devices and personnel, the network has enabled uninterrupted data flow and connectivity even in the critical event of a power outage.

The Hola 5G Oulu project, an initiative launched by Oulu University Hospital to bring advanced Private 5G technology to the healthcare sector, ensures a high-performance network infrastructure by utilising Nokia Modular Private Wireless (MPW), deployed by Boldyn. The design of Boldyn’s radio access network, based on extensive experience and expertise, ensures connectivity without issues in the event of any failure. These setups provide seamless connectivity, enhanced reliability, and optimal performance for state-of-the-art wearable devices, maximising efficiency among hospital workers and improving patient care.

Private 5G has empowered Oulu University Hospital to introduce a new generation of healthcare devices:

• Wireless wearable technologies for patient wards: With WICOAR HealthVision (smart glasses with augmented technologies), doctors and nurses will have instant visual access to critical patient data, enabling faster diagnoses and informed treatment decisions.
• Mobile-app software for quick and reliable communication: WICOAR HealthAudio provides doctors and nurses with a reliable platform for swift communication.
• Wireless wearable technologies for surgical theatres: During surgeries, surgeons can wear WICOAR HealthVision glasses to maintain constant visual access to patients' vital signs.

Jani Katisko, Associate Professor and Medical Physicist at Oulu University Hospital said: “The network going live is a major milestone for us, and it's incredibly rewarding to see our vision taking shape. It opens a world of possibilities for improving patient care. This advancement means that doctors and nurses can have instant access to critical information on their devices, maintaining connectivity as they move throughout the hospital. This not only maximises efficiency but also significantly improves the quality of care provided to patients. Wireless smart glasses can revolutionise data visualisation, providing us with real-time insights into patient needs. This is just the beginning. We are excited to see the research and development of even more innovative use cases in the future, such as robotic medicine delivery, AI-assisted medical imaging analysis, and virtual remote training and assistance."

“Now, with the private 5G SA network, we can utilise many of its strengths as a seamless handover, low latency, high capacity, cybersecurity and availability in any circumstances. It allows the hospitals to constantly keep track of the healthcare processes while enabling seamless communication and collaboration of the hospital’s staff. This aligns with the main objective of the project, to elevate the quality of patient care. We are extremely proud to work with Oulu University Hospital to launch the Private 5G SA network. This success reflects the hard work and collaboration of everyone involved and our commitment to transforming healthcare with cutting-edge technology.” said Petri Parviainen, Head of Sales Public Sector, Private Networks Europe at Boldyn Networks.

Rauno Jokelainen, Co-founder and COO of WICOAR Technologies, said: "Our technology is designed to significantly improve communication between healthcare staff and provide them with readily accessible, visualised patient data for enhanced assessment and care. Previously, physicians were spending up to 50% of their time performing computer-related tasks. With instant data access, we are reducing the time spent searching for information. We are empowering healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to their patients, creating a more personalised and effective healthcare experience. We're thrilled to witness our vision of healthcare wireless wearable technologies becoming a reality at Oulu, with the launch of this advanced 5G network."

"We have a long-standing collaboration with Boldyn in deploying private networks across Europe. The successful deployment of this advanced 5G private network in the Hola 5G Oulu project marks the beginning of a digital journey that extends far beyond connectivity. It clearly demonstrates the transformative power of technology in revolutionising healthcare. Nokia is proud to provide private wireless network technology for this important initiative, paving the way for a brighter future in patient care." says Rolf Albrecht, Head of Enterprise Campus Edge Europe Sales at Nokia.

While Boldyn Networks ensures the Private 5G SA network operates harmoniously with existing hospital equipment, Oulu University will focus on testing the usability of the wireless wearables in clinical settings to confirm they enhance workflows and improve patient care:

• Verify network compatibility: Confirm that the Private 5G SA network operates safely and effectively alongside existing hospital equipment, ensuring no interference or disruption.
• Validate wearable usability: Evaluate the usability of wireless wearables in a real-world hospital setting, focusing on how they integrate into clinical workflows and improve patient care.

About Oulu University Hospital

Oulu University Hospital (OYS) is an innovative, research, and development-oriented provider of high-quality healthcare. It is the northernmost of the five university hospitals in Finland and part of the wellbeing services county of North Ostrobothnia. Our hospital is being renewed and rebuilt by 2030. The objective is to build safe, resilient, sustainable, and functional academic hospital facilities that will serve half of Finland geographically. Alongside the construction of new facilities, we are also renewing our operating models to meet future requirements. Our vision for change is to become the world’s smartest hospital, where the newest technologies, modern facilities, and up-to-date expertise will combine to ensure effective specialized medical care.

About University of Oulu

University of Oulu – Working for a more sustainable, more intelligent, and more humane world.

The University of Oulu is an international science university that creates new knowledge, well-being and innovations for the future through research and education. The University of Oulu, founded in 1958, is one of the largest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. The university of Oulu has over 3800 employees and over 13,800 students in 8 faculties.

In all its activities, the University of Oulu strives for excellent quality and high efficiency. Our researchers produce nearly 3000 scientific publications each year, and several new research-driven startups arise yearly. The University of Oulu conducts impactful and responsible research. Our aim is to provide an excellent student experience and a healthy university community. Our values are: Creating new, taking responsibility, and succeeding together. Sustainable development is a goal in all of our operations.

Learn more at https://www.oulu.fi/en/university

About WICOAR Technologies Oy

WICOAR Technologies is a pioneer of healthcare innovation through cutting-edge technology. WICOAR values simplifying tasks for medical professionals, allowing them to focus on what matters most – patient care. Our solutions, therefore, create benefits for healthcare activities, including WICOAR HealthAudio – the communication platform that enhances seamless collaboration for medical staff, and WICOAR HealthVision – the smart wireless wearable that helps visualize data for use in patient wards and operating theatres. With a commitment to creating a future where technology empowers healthcare practitioners, we aim to enhance healthcare delivery with full security and privacy in data management and improve patient care. By introducing an innovative healthcare system for doctors, nurses, and patients, WICOAR Technologies Oy aims to transform hospitals into more efficient, patient-centric environments.

Learn more at: https://www.wicoar.com

Funded by the European Union

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.