Global Mobile Communications (GSM) services currently cover almost all parts of the world. The data transfers through GSM services is becoming popular today. Improvements in the modern transportation infrastructure have made it possible for hospitals to deploy ambulances to deal with emergencies at remote areas. These vehicles are capable of providing as much assistance as a conventional clinic, and if needed, even minor surgeries can be done. Voice communication over a conventional mobile handset is sufficient if the information relayed is small, but what about the transfers of bandwidth-hungry data like Computed Tomography (CT) scans and real-time video of the patient's situation? In this paper, we propose the use of the General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) bearer for Wireless Application Protocol(WAP) to provide high-bandwidth communication to the mobile units, which will enable such data transfers. A feasibility study has been done with existing mobile units; and it was found that GPRS is the optimum bearer in terms of speed, immediacy and compatibly with the existing infrastructure.
Keywords: emergency medical; communication; General Packet Radio Service(GPRS)