Mobile Communications and Computing: A Broad Review with a Focus on Smart Healthcare

Abstract

Wireless networks are ubiquitous today. Cellular networks, wireless local area networks, and wireless personal area networks are among the most common ones. Simultaneously the proliferation of smartphones has led to new kinds of mobile applications. Notably, the healthcare industry has leveraged the benefits of mobile computing in several ways, including health monitoring and feedback, the swift transmission of diagnostic reports, and coordination with medical professionals. The progress notwithstanding, there are many research challenges in wireless networks and mobile computing that need to be addressed for wider deployment of the technology and better user experience. In this paper, we survey the state of the art in mobile communications and computing – with a special focus on the use of mobile technologies in healthcare service – and present a selected list of emerging research areas.