Nearly 70% of cross-border rail incidents are linked to legacy comms limits, yet a tailored commercial radio for the 1900 MHz band now promises safer, faster migration to modern systems and supports the future railway infrastructure with innovative technologies and solutions.
The announcement pairs an industry first radio for the 1900 MHz (n101) band with a cloud‑native 5G core, representing a significant enterprise solution for railways. This enables coexistence with GSM‑R and supports FRMCS functions without disrupting operations, enhancing railway mobile communication.
Modular and scalable, the platform can be deployed regionally or nationally and will be validated under the EU‑funded FP2‑MORANE‑2 project. It builds on GSM‑R deployments in 20+ countries and aims for benefits like automated train operations and real‑time passenger information, paving the way for future railway mobile advancements.
For the full press details, see the official newsroom release.
Key Takeaways
- Industry first: commercial radio tailored to the 1900 MHz (n101) band.
- Paired with a railway‑optimised cloud‑native 5G standalone core.
- Supports FRMCS functions and seamless coexistence with GSM‑R.
- Modular scalability for regional and national deployments.
- Expected benefits: safer operations, better passenger services and predictive maintenance.
The Digital Revolution on the Tracks: Context for Railways in the 5G Era
A shift toward secure, high‑capacity mobile systems is reshaping how trains communicate across borders. FRMCS will replace the 2G GSM‑R standard over the coming decade, bringing built‑in security, greater reliability, and stronger support for automation. This transformation is part of the broader broadband initiative in railway communications, as highlighted in recent news.
From signalling to passenger applications, modern rail operations require low latency and steady bandwidth. This enables real‑time control, condition‑based maintenance, and richer passenger services without compromising safety, positioning communication centers at the heart of these advancements.
From GSM-R to FRMCS: the next global standard
FRMCS establishes a unified mobile communication system for railways with stricter security and resilience. It standardises how onboard equipment, trackside kit, and control centres interact.
Why capacity and low latency matter
Operators will rely on fast, predictable links for automated train operation and signalling. Reliable communications also support CCTV, passenger information, and remote diagnostics.
Nokia Unveils a New 5G Solution for Rail Networks
Operators now have access to the first commercial radio optimised for the 1900 MHz (n101) band and designed for future railway performance. This new radio is part of an AirScale portfolio and pairs with a railway‑optimised 5G standalone core to deliver deterministic links and advanced network solutions for mission‑critical communications use.
Industry first commercial 5G radio for the 1900 MHz (n101) band
Industry first commercial status shows readiness beyond trials. The radio 190 mhz design reflects spectrum choices that support FRMCS adoption and staged coexistence with GSM‑R.
Backed by decades of GSM-R deployments and FRMCS development
The vendor’s rail pedigree spans GSM‑R in 20+ countries and active FRMCS engagement with operators, governments and standards bodies. That history helps reassure rail operators worldwide that lifecycle support and interoperability testing are prioritised.
- Commercial availability reduces procurement risk for operators worldwide.
- The radio solution supports regional and nationwide footprints, enabling flexible rollouts.
Why 5G is a Game-Changer for Railways
Advances in carrier-grade mobile communication give operators the tools to run safer, more efficient railways. This technology brings predictable links and higher capacity to complex rail networks.
Real-time, mission-critical communications for safer operations
Low latency and reliability allow control centres to make split-second decisions. Trains and wayside systems exchange telemetry and video with minimal delay.
Priority handling from a cloud‑native 5G SA core tuned to the FRMCS transport stratum ensures mission‑critical traffic stays resilient under load.
Seamless coexistence: migrating alongside GSM-R with no disruption
Coexistence lets operators migrate progressively without risking timetable or safety performance. A modular radio solution supports staged rollouts from corridor pilots to national coverage, enhancing the overall infrastructure of railway communications.
- Unified platform for voice, video and data improves operational control and passenger services within the enterprise solution railways.
- Higher bandwidth boosts telemetry, situational awareness and incident response times across the network.
- Standards-based technology reduces lifecycle costs and eases vendor integration.
- European FP2‑MORANE‑2 testing will validate cross‑border handover and real-world readiness.
Nokia’s Solution: What’s Included
This offering combines an AirScale commercial radio for the 1900 MHz band with a railway‑optimised core enterprise platform. It is built to support FRMCS transport functions and to speed staged migration from legacy comms.
AirScale new radio solution
The new radio delivers commercial‑grade 5G performance across corridors and stations. It is tuned to the 1900 MHz band to match spectrum choices for rail deployments and supports coexistence with legacy systems.
Core Enterprise Solution for railways
The nokia core enterprise is a cloud‑native 5G SA core engineered for deterministic behaviour, QoS and FRMCS transport stratum support. It enables network slicing and mission‑critical traffic handling.
Modular, scalable architecture
Operators can roll out regionally then scale to nationwide networks without service disruption. Software-driven upgrades and standards alignment ease long‑term development and maintenance.
Cybersecurity and resilient backbone
The package includes an integrated cybersecurity framework and mission‑critical IP/MPLS, optical transport and data centre networking. These elements protect OT assets and ensure high availability.
FP2‑MORANE‑2 validation
EU testing will validate interoperability, cross‑border handover and service evolution. Real‑world trials will confirm readiness for digital transformation across stations, depots and lineside systems.
| Component | Primary Benefit | Operational Impact | Lifecycle Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScale radio (1900 MHz) | Reliable corridor coverage | Improved handover and throughput | Field‑upgradeable software |
| Core enterprise solution | Deterministic transport | Guaranteed QoS for voice/data | Cloud-native scaling |
| IP/MPLS, optical, data centre | Resilient backbone | High availability for control systems | Modular growth paths |
| Cybersecurity framework | End-to-end protection | Safeguards OT and passenger services | Standards-based updates |
Real-World Benefits and Case Studies
Real deployments and trials show measurable gains in safety, punctuality and energy use when modern radio kit and cloud cores are paired on live lines.
Automated train operations: efficiency, safety and reduced emissions
Reliable low‑latency links let automatic train control react faster to conditions. This improves timetable adherence and lowers energy use through smoother driving.
Passenger information systems: real-time updates and improved experience
Operators can push live disruption alerts and precise platform announcements. The result is fewer delays and a better passenger experience.
Integrated mission-critical voice, video, and data
Unified communications give operations centres an instant view of incidents. Video and voice tie into control-room workflows to speed response and protect track staff.
Predictive maintenance: lower downtime and maintenance costs
Continuous telemetry feeds enable early fault detection. That reduces unplanned failures and cuts maintenance spend.
Border crossing scenarios: resilient handover across mobile networks
“Robust handover between networks is vital for international services and freight corridors,” said a project lead.
- Benefits apply across mainline, metro and depots.
- Early trials help rail operators validate performance before scaling.
Conclusion: Nokia Unveils A New 5G Solution for Rail Networks
Investing in this enterprise solutions railways platform gives rail operators a clear pathway to modern, standards-based mobile communication. The offering combines a commercial radio for the 1900 MHz band with a cloud-native core solution tuned to FRMCS.
This route helps operators migrate while keeping services live. Benefits include improved safety, better passenger information, and predictive maintenance that cuts downtime and costs, making it a vital solution railways need today.
FP2‑MORANE‑2 validation will de-risk deployments and prove handover. Early adoption allows rail operators to align spectrum planning, accelerate transformation, and gain advantages in reliability, enhancing their data center capabilities.
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