Strategic deal in the healthcare sector: T-Systems to operate the network for the electronic health card

T-Systems has won a contract with gematik (Gesellschaft für Telematikanwendungen der Gesundheitskarte) to set up and operate the central MPLS network for the German healthcare system. The Telekom subsidiary announced this today at the start of the medical trade fair Medica (November 14-17) in Düsseldorf. The future backbone for the electronic health card will connect all participants in the healthcare sector throughout Germany securely and at a high bandwidth. The contract has a five-year term.

T-Systems also took on responsibility for one of the access services for the future healthcare network within the scope of a second bid. Access services are necessary so that doctors will be able to have access via the MPLS network to applications at data centers such as electronic prescriptions.

Hubert Haag, who is responsible for business with T-Systems customers from the international healthcare sector, says, "By winning these deals, T-Systems has succeeded in two major Europe-wide bids dealing with the electronic health card. IT and telecommunications will work together closely in the new healthcare network. The fact that gematik has decided to go with us emphasizes the fact that a provider of digital integrated services needs to possess expertise in both worlds. This is why we consider ourselves to be well-equipped for the upcoming electronic heath card bids.

In a model project with the German insurance company “Deutsche Rentenversi-cherung Knappschaft Bahn See”, T-Systems is demonstrating how the connection of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies to the central infrastructure works. Within the scope of the project called "prospeGKT", 20,000 parties insured by Knappschaft Bahn See will receive a health card from T-Systems in the spring. In addition, around 50 doctors will be provided with an electronic health professional card by T-Systems. As the general contractor, T-Systems adhered to the specifications of the German Ministry of Health as well as to those of gematik and will connect all of the participating doctor's offices and a hospital with each other.

The healthcare sector's core network gives priority to important data

The healthcare sector's network will be based on MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) technology. This will make it possible to transmit voice and multimedia data via a joint network in which the most important data will automatically be given priority. This will enable image data or videos that doctors need for emergency operations to be sent through with top priority via MPLS.

Starting today, visitors to the medical trade fair Medica will be able to learn more about the healthcare network of the future and solutions for the healthcare sector. T-Systems will be there in hall 15, A 31 with its own booth presenting its comprehensive health portfolio for digital health insurance and the digital hospital. The slogan for the Telekom subsidiary's appearance at the trade fair is: "Linking, connecting, simplifying – systematic health solutions.

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