- First-of-its-kind digital connectivity service purpose built for healthcare devices in low-resource settings
- SIMplicity global SIM cards will provide low-cost, enhanced data connectivity worldwide
Zug and Geneva, Switzerland – 26 February 2018 – The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) 
and Telecom26 AG announced today the launch of a digital connectivity service for the global health community. The announcement coincides with the 2018 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, where Telecom26 is exhibiting (26 February–1 March 2018). The first-of-its-kind service, named SIMplicity, aims to reduce the burden of sourcing and managing SIM cards for use in connected healthcare devices, including diagnostics equipment, in low resource settings. SIMplicity is purpose built for global health programmes implementing connectivity, by providing pre-negotiated contracts, low pre-negotiated rates, global coverage with a single SIM, and enhanced management controls.
Although diagnostic instruments enabled with remote connectivity have the potential to increase efficiency and lower costs for testing, treatment and disease surveillance programmes, many healthcare providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) still handwrite test results to record and track disease diagnoses. Connected diagnostics in LMICs – when available – often rely on locally purchased, pay-as-you-go SIM cards, which can be burdensome, uncontrolled and unsecured. Healthcare programmes using local SIM cards for connectivity may encounter many issues, including deactivation or the inability to re-activate, billing and service-delivery problems, and the absence of quality assurance and reporting mechanisms.
Specifically designed to support the global health community, SIMplicity gives users a consistent, centrally managed, secure service for their mobile data. SIM usage can be viewed and configured via a user-friendly online portal. Reliable, global mobile data coverage is provided at a low, fixed rate, pre-negotiated by FIND, as part of the organization’s commitment to developing and expanding access to diagnostic tools for povertyrelated diseases in LMICs.
“The use of technology in global healthcare is at least a decade behind other industries, and access to lowcost, secure and dependable mobile data service for diagnostic and associated medical devices is critical. Telecom26 has a proven track record in innovation to improve global network coverage, and we are excited to work with FIND to bring the benefits of improved connectivity to the global health space,” said Mike Ashdown, CEO at Telecom26.
FIND is offering expert consultations on diagnostics and clinical connectivity to global health partners, and will work with the community to extend this initiative in line with local needs. “LMICs tend to be the last places on the planet to benefit from new technology – when they are often the places that could benefit the most,” said Zachary Katz, Chief Access Officer at FIND. “Reliable connectivity is a crucial step in enabling healthcare providers in these countries to tackle wide-spread diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, by implementing diagnostics in ways that improve patient outcomes and achieve impact in local communities.”
Global health organizations, advocates, innovators and providers are invited to explore how SIMplicity could support their mission and maximize the impact of health programmes. Please visit http://www.finddx.org/SIMplicity for more information or to request a consultation. FIND’s contribution to this initiative is supported by the Australian government and UK aid from the UK government.
About Telecom26
Telecom26 is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, and is a cross border mobile network operator providing bespoke mobile solutions to global corporations and manufacturers worldwide. Telecom26 utilises a vast global network of over 900 roaming partners, the very latest in SIM technology, and regional roaming solutions. This capability, combined with the experience and best practice, has equipped Telecom26 with the building blocks to become an innovator of the Internet of Things and the preferred customers’ choice for Machine to Machine solutions via the T26 Next Generation Mobile Services Platform with integrated and easy to use web tools and APIs. Please visit www.telecom26.ch
About FIND
FIND was established in 2003 as a global non-profit dedicated to accelerating the development, evaluation and delivery of highquality, affordable diagnostic tests for poverty-related diseases, now including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sleeping sickness, hepatitis C, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, Buruli ulcer, non-malarial fever and diseases with outbreak potential, such as Ebola. FIND has partnered in the delivery of 20 new diagnostic tools and created an enabling environment for numerous others through the provision of specimen banks, reagent development and better market visibility. FIND also supports better access to new diagnostics through implementation, quality assurance and lab strengthening work. FIND has nearly 200 partners globally, including research institutes and laboratories, health ministries and national disease control programmes, commercial partners, bilateral and multilateral organizations, especially WHO, and clinical trial sites. For further information, please visit www.finddx.org
Media contacts:
Tanja Butler, Head of Communications, Telecom26
T: +41 43 500 42 44
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Sarah-Jane Loveday, Head of Communications, FIND
T: +41 (0) 22 710 27 88
M: +41 (0) 79 431 62 44
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