As a cornerstone of smarter, safer, and more efficient rail networks, the solution fosters greater digitalization and automation, delivering benefits for passengers, businesses, and the environment. The launch includes the industry’s first commercial 5G radio for the 1900 MHz band (n101), along with Nokia’s Core Enterprise Solution for Railways, specifically designed to accelerate the sector’s digital transformation.
Over the next decade, the FRMCS will upgrade the current Global System for Mobile Communications – Rail (GSM-R) 2G and become the next-generation global standard designed for all railways. Its 5G-based successor, with built-in security and high reliability, enables greater automation, new digital applications, improved passenger services, and secure cross-border communications.
Nokia's new 5G radio is designed for mission-critical communications and supports strategic coexistence, enabling railways to migrate to 5G alongside legacy systems like GSM-R seamlessly. Furthermore, its fully optimized, cloud-native 5G SA core supports the full suite of FRMCS functionalities for the transport stratum. Modular, flexible, and scalable, the solution allows for both regional and national deployments. It will also be tested under the EU-funded FP2-MORANE-2 project, which builds on previous FRMCS initiatives to advance the digitalization of rail operations across Europe.
The shift to a 5G solution introduces powerful capabilities perfectly suited to the operational needs of modern railways, especially in cross-border situations. Here are some of the key benefits for rail operators and passengers:
- Automated rail operations: Enabling real-time control and monitoring of trains to improve safety and efficiency and reduce energy consumption and emissions.
- Passenger information systems: Providing real-time updates and information to passengers to enhance their travel experience. -
Mission-critical voice communication: Integrating voice, video, and data services on a single, standardized platform to improve operations and infrastructure management.
- Smart rail maintenance: Utilizing predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
“The drive toward digitalization demands a type of high-speed connectivity and data capabilities that legacy systems simply cannot provide, creating an urgent need for modernization among rail operators worldwide,” said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia. “Our commercial 5G solution, backed by decades of proven experience in the rail sector, reflects our commitment to laying the foundation for the next generation of rail operations. We offer a flexible, future-proof technology platform that enables a seamless transition to FRMCS, while improving operational efficiency, safety, and the overall passenger experience.”.
