Integrated Technical and Economic Analysis of Open RAN for Remote eHealth in Brazil

Abstract

Traditional radio access networks (RANs) are often characterized by rigid, proprietary architectures, high capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) expenditures, and vendor lock-in. These limitations hinder cost-effective deployments in remote and underserved regions. In this paper, we evaluate the potential of Open RAN, a flexible and disaggregated networking paradigm leveraging virtualization and multi-vendor interoperability, to bridge the healthcare gap in Brazil through remote eHealth applications. Focusing on the mobile specialist practice (MSP) use case, we introduce a total cost of ownership model that integrates both CAPEX and OPEX across urban, suburban, and rural deployment scenarios, thereby addressing a critical gap in current network economic models. Additionally, we explore a detailed taxonomy of MSP sub-use cases that delineates the technical requirements for high-definition video streaming, haptic feedback, and remote diagnostics. We conducted laboratory experiments on a 5G Open RAN testbed using real ultrasound equipment in collaboration with Samsung, Beneficência Portuguesa (one of the largest private healthcare hubs in Latin America), and InovaHC (the innovation center of the region’s largest hospital). These experiments demonstrated that our approach meets stringent performance indicators such as low latency, robust throughput, and reliable packet delivery under diverse backhaul conditions. The results further indicate that Open RAN can substantially reduce deployment costs while ensuring high-performance remote medical services. These findings provide valuable insights for advancing field trials, refining economic models, and guiding future policy initiatives.