Donald Trump’s family business on Monday signed a naming license for its US mobile phone service and a $499 smartphone under the name Trump Mobile acquired. With the monthly “47 Plan” – for $47.45 – the service will offer telemedicine and roadside assistance alongside telephony, texting and mobile data from August 2025.
The new mobile communications company, which was announced at Trump Tower in Manhattan, will use the networks of the three major US mobile providers.
Smarter Move: Telemedicine included in mobile phone tariff
Despite all the criticism of the US President’s side deals: The US figures underpin this smart move. Because Trump is focusing on telemedicine for the US market – with good reason: Telemedicine in the US has developed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now being used more frequently as an alternative method of healthcare. During the pandemic, many regulations were relaxed, making it easier to use and enabling a wider range of services.
According to an article in the Harvard Health Letter, nearly 50 million people in the United States currently use remote patient monitoring devices. The higher prevalence of chronic diseases combined with a large elderly population makes the United States the largest user of remote patient monitoring systems in the world, according to Strategic Market Research.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine refers to the use of smartphones, tablets or computers to access medical services remotely. The aims of telemedicine are manifold: It enables access to medical care, particularly for people in remote communities or rural areas. Telemedicine also offers practical and, above all, rapid care and answers to urgent questions for (older) people with limited mobility or a lack of transportation options. It also helps to reduce the risk of infection, as patients with infectious diseases do not have to attend in person.
Although usage has declined somewhat following the pandemic, the global telemedicine market is expected to grow strongly until 2030 – probably one of the reasons why Donald Trump is becoming active in this segment.
Sources: Reuters
Author: Anja Herberth
Chefredakteurin
