| Can the MVNO phenomena really extend to | | | | messages of encouragement or indeed warnings |
| healthcare? Qualcomm thinks so, as in May 2007 | | | | of deviation from the health care programme. |
| they announced plans to create LifeComm a | | | | Such proactive healthcare technology could have |
| mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) with a | | | | a revolutionary effect on diet and weight-loss |
| healthcare focus. What's important in Qualcomm's | | | | programmes. |
| plans and what will perhaps be the most | | | | Critical to the success of healthcare MVNOs is a |
| important factor in determining the long term | | | | range of clever biometric sensors linked to the |
| success of LifeComm is their plans to integrate | | | | web via the patients mobile phone (cell phone), all |
| some of the core health care monitoring functions | | | | integrated with a proven clinical programme. |
| in to a range of custom handsets coupled with | | | | Whether or not one really needs a MVNO to |
| network based services. | | | | deliver these services is unclear. Could the airtime |
| It is not farfetched to imagine a mobile phone (cell | | | | service be provided using the patients existing |
| phone) based solution that encourages the | | | | mobile (cellular) provider? Or, are these |
| improvement of ones diet and to encourage | | | | applications strong enough to force the consumer |
| weight loss. For example it is suggested that the | | | | to switch providers, bringing over their mobile |
| mobile device could monitor a number of body | | | | spend? In Piran Partners experience this very |
| functions and parameters. A patient's clinician could | | | | much depends on the attitude of consumers in a |
| remotely monitor such data from the web, | | | | particular target segment, whether that be by |
| setting the patient new targets, send text | | | | geographic region or interest group. |