There have been serious problems in deploying the technology uniformly across the U.S., and it remains difficult to install. The same thing is happening with modem connections to Internet Service Providers over regular phone lines. Internet access has much longer holding times, which really bogs down the switches. All of the carriers are looking at ways to offload their networks for data switching. There is also a lot of marketing confusion.
Prices are all over the map.
We really appreciate your sharing your expertise with us. We think that it is still premature to say that pure market forces are driving the deployment of telemedicine, since so many programs are in a trial stage. The most obvious market condition that will pull this along over the next few years are the continued need for improving access and decreasing costs by eliminating travel for patients, physicians, and nurses. We solicited feedback from a host of phone companies regarding their telemedicine plans and activities. These companies confirm many of the sentiments expressed in the interview with Insight, especially that phone companies are taking the market seriously, and are becoming turnkey solution providers.