Why 5G Is the Infrastructure Healthcare Didn't Know It Needed

In this episode of the InteropNow! at ViVe series on The Beat Podcast, host Sandy Vance sits down with Ray Sabourin, Healthcare Vertical Subject Matter Expert at Ericsson, for a fascinating and surprisingly accessible conversation about the connectivity infrastructure that will determine whether healthcare's AI ambitions actually succeed. Ray has spent 30 years in wireless technology and brings a clear-eyed, no-hype perspective to a topic most CIOs have not fully thought through yet. From autonomous vehicles in mines to HoloLens in operating theaters in Singapore to the simple frustration of losing a call in a hospital elevator, this episode makes the case that 5G is not a luxury upgrade for healthcare. It is the foundation that everything else depends on. In this episode, they talk about:Ericsson powers roughly half the world's cellular infrastructure and is now bringing enterprise-grade 5G directly to hospitalsWi-Fi was built for location-based general use; 5G is built for mission-critical, mobile, clinical performanceHospitals can now own their own private 5G network using CBRS spectrum without relying on carriersPrivate 5G is far more secure than Wi-Fi because SIM-based encryption protects both the device and the network simultaneouslyThe neutral host approach, bringing the carrier signal indoors via distributed radio rather than a distributed antenna, is the recommended first stepCleveland Clinic and Tampa General are among the early US health systems building out private 5G infrastructureDeploying AI at scale in healthcare requires infrastructure that can handle massive, continuous data collection from sensors, cameras, and devicesAI is a Ferrari on a gravel road: buying cutting-edge AI tools without upgrading connectivity infrastructure is a recipe for poor performancePhysical AI, including autonomous nurse carts and hospital robots, is already on the horizon and requires mobile, seamless connectivity that Wi-Fi simply cannot guaranteeA Little About Ray:Ray Sabourin is a healthcare technology strategist focused on helping hospitals and large health systems design wireless environments that can support the next decade of digital care delivery. At Ericsson, Ray works closely with provider organizations at the intersection of IT, clinical operations, and infrastructure to improve reliability, reduce operational risk, and prepare for AI‑driven workflows.Ray’s background spans wireless infrastructure, healthcare operations, and large‑scale digital transformation in complex clinical environments. His work centers on helping health systems move from “good enough” connectivity to must‑not‑fail wireless performance that clinicians and care teams can depend on.