For hospitals undertaking digital transformation, the need to implement modern data-driven digital tools, real-time patient monitoring, and decentralised care technologies, is often complicated by complex challenges of integrating new technologies with legacy infrastructure. For HM Hospitales, one of Spain’s premier private healthcare groups, addressing these evolving demands, has led to a strategic partnership with Huawei to develop an upgraded nationwide network infrastructure.
By deploying Huawei’s advanced Wi-Fi 7 and cloud-managed network solutions across its 22 hospitals, and 5 clinics (currently in development) the group is establishing a unified, high-performance platform aimed at positioning the hospital group at the forefront of digital healthcare in Spain.
The challenges facing HM Hospitales
With highly specialized hubs in Oncology, Cardiology, and Neurosciences, and over 7,000 professionals delivering millions of consultations annually, HM Hospitales had recognized that there was an urgent need to improve the efficiency of healthcare professionals through digital transformation.
To further its mission of delivering high-quality care across an expanding network, the hospital group required a sophisticated IT infrastructure that could keep pace with its growth and technological ambition. The existing network, while having served the organization reliably, required evolution to fully support the integration of advanced medical equipment, facilitate real-time data exchange for cutting-edge treatments, and enhance the digital experience for a growing patient population.
Prior to the partnership with Huawei, HM Hospitales faced significant network challenges as result of ageing and siloed infrastructure. Legacy architecture was leading to fragmented services that could not integrate effectively, while the widespread use of Wi‑Fi 4 and Wi‑Fi 5 access points constrained bandwidth and limited the organization’s ability to scale.
Operational efficiency was further impacted by the absence of centralized and visualized network management tools, despite the organization operating a network of over 5,000 connected devices. Outdated network equipment that lacked redundancy mechanisms was also resulting in the group facing the prospect of increased security vulnerabilities and heightened risks of service downtime.
A Vision for Integrated Care
Driven by these technical challenges, HM Hospitales sought Huawei’s expertise in addressing three primary opportunities for transformation.
First, the pursuit of a unified and scalable architectural foundation. As the hospital group expanded, its network infrastructure – having evolved organically over time – presented challenges for centralized management and effortless scaling, making it difficult to guarantee uniform performance and seamlessly integrate new digital services group-wide.
The second priority was to deliver enhanced centralized visibility and control for operational excellence. As the hospital network grew in both size and complexity, the operational model that relied on managing individual systems became increasingly difficult to scale, highlighting the need for a unified management platform.
Finally, there was a need to advance the foundation for continuous security and reliability. In line with the rapid evolution of medical technology and cybersecurity threats, a proactive upgrade was essential to establish a robust foundation capable of supporting the latest security protocols and ensuring the high levels of reliability required for critical healthcare applications.
Co-Creating a Foundation for Medical-Grade Connectivity
The partnership has resulted in a foundation for medical-grade connectivity that has seen Huawei co-create a next-generation intelligent campus network alongside HM Hospitales, designed not merely as an infrastructure upgrade but as a platform for digital care delivery.
The solution establishes a robust, high-performance network core with a comprehensive Wi-Fi 7 deployment, featuring a strategic mix of flagship AirEngine 8771-X1 and high-performance AirEngine 5776-26 access points. This creates a high-capacity, highly reliable wireless fabric capable of supporting the most demanding clinical applications with the ultra-low latency required for real-time data access and advanced telemedicine. A comprehensive upgrade of the wired access layer with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet switches has also ensured robust, high-bandwidth connectivity for all critical medical devices.
Image | Huawei
Going beyond standard performance the network has been delivered to provide deep intelligence through Huawei’s Cloud Campus solution, integrated with the CampusInsight platform. This cloud-managed architecture centralises control and automates network-wide operations, providing the HM Hospitales IT team with unprecedented visibility into network health and user experience.
Hospital network devices are centrally managed, and services can be quickly deployed, while network status is visualized in real time, ensuring a superior experience for key applications such as remote consultation.
At the same time, automation within the system allows technical staff to pivot their focus from basic troubleshooting to strategic initiatives that directly support clinical objectives, such as delivering ultra-high bandwidth for medical terminals and enhanced remote medical video calls.
Next-Generation Smart Healthcare Network
The collaboration has yielded a network that fundamentally enhances HM Hospitales’ operational capabilities and clinical service potential, with the new network operating as a catalyst for clinical and operational innovation.
“We are addressing a profound transformation that allows us to reduce technical debt, adapt to the current healthcare environment, and prepare for the future,” said a representative from HM Hospitales. “Thanks to collaboration with technology partners like Huawei, we are building a robust, secure, and scalable infrastructure.”
Seamless Roaming Between Hospital and University
The most immediate impact is the creation of a seamless, high-performance connectivity experience across all facilities, ensuring that critical patient care systems and data-intensive diagnostic applications operate on a foundation of unparalleled reliability. The network supports uninterrupted connectivity for professors and clinicians who move between academic and clinical duties, allowing their devices to maintain secure connections as they transition from university lectures to hospital rounds.
Enhanced Clinical Communication with VoWIFI
The robust Wi-Fi coverage now enables high-quality voice-over-WiFi (VoWIFI) services for enhanced clinical communication, overcoming potential limitations in cellular coverage within hospital buildings and delivering a reliable network for medical staff.
Foundation for IoMT and Smart Hospital Services
The infrastructure provides a perfect platform for integrating Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices, creating immediate opportunities for implementing indoor navigation for patients and visitors, tracking high-value medical equipment, and developing other smart hospital solutions that enhance both operational efficiency and the patient experience.
The ultimate value of this initiative lies in its ability to serve as a catalyst for broader clinical and operational innovation. As a result, HM Hospitales is now equipped to confidently accelerate its digital transformation journey and reinforce its leadership in private healthcare.
MWC Barcelona 2026
During MWC Barcelona 2026, Huawei held a summit themed “AI+, Accelerating Healthcare Intelligence.” The event gathered leading global healthcare experts, academics, and industry partners to envision the new future of digital and intelligent healthcare. At the summit, Huawei teamed up with HM Hospitals, Spain to officially launch the Global Smart Healthcare Showcase. Xavier Tarrago Bonfill, Digital Transformation Project Director of HM Hospitals, Spain, William Zhang, President of the Healthcare BU, Huawei, and Kai Zhang, Director of Healthcare Industry in Spain, Huawei unveiled the showcase together.