SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) today announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Yonsei University Health System to build innovative 5G-powered digital hospital. The MOU signing ceremony took place at SK Telecom’s Seoul headquarters on April 26, 2019 and was attended by Park Jung-ho, President and CEO of SK Telecom, and Yoon Do-heum, President and CEO of the Yonsei University Health System.

Under the MOU, SK Telecom and the Yonsei University Health System will work together to build 5G network and develop specialized solutions for the Yongin Severance Hospital, which is scheduled to open in February 2020, by leveraging SK Telecom’s technological expertise in areas of 5G, AI, IoT and media.

The 5G-powered digital hospital will be equipped with SK Telecom’s AI speaker NUGU to enable patients with physical difficulties to easily control their beds, lighting and TV with their voice. They can even use NUGU Call service to get medical assistance in case of emergencies.

Moreover, the 5G-powered digital hospital will offer AR-based indoor navigation service through the application of indoor positioning and 3D mapping technologies to enhance the convenience of patients and visitors. SK Telecom will also develop a hologram solution for patients in isolation wards so that they can meet with visitors who appear as holograms.

To prevent hacking of sensitive medical information, the company is also considering applying its quantum cryptography solutions to its network covering the Severance Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital and Yongin Severance Hospital.

SK Telecom will also apply facial recognition technology to enhance the convenience of medial workers and strengthen security of the hospital. Authorized personnel can automatically gain access to buildings, labs and other rooms through a facial recognition access control system. Unlike other access control systems that require some kind of contact – fingerprint, pass, etc. – the face recognition system allows contact-free entry to help reduce the risk of infection. 

SK Telecom and the Yonsei University Health System will continue to apply innovative 5G-based hospital solutions to the Yongin Severance Hospital and then to all hospitals under the Yonsei University Health System.

“SK Telecom’s partnership with Yonsei University Health System carries a significant meaning as it represents a new level of collaboration between two different industries,” said Park Jung-ho, President and CEO of SK Telecom. “SK Telecom will work closely with the Yonsei University Health System to build the world’s best 5G-enabled hospital by utilizing cutting-edge ICT.”