Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS)
Ensure safe, dependable operations with FRMCS based on 5G
Put your railway on the fast track to the FRMCS with our proven 5G solutions, railway communications expertise and Nokia Bell Labs innovations. Our comprehensive approach will help you modernize your GSM-R networks and take your operations into the digital age.
What is FRMCS?
FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) is the new global standard for railway communications, designed to support the shift to digital, automated, and more efficient rail operations. Built on 5G, it brings fast, low-latency, and reliable connectivity that helps improve safety, streamline operations, and enable modern passenger services. With its cloud-based, broadband-ready architecture, FRMCS supports everything from automated train control to real-time machine communication. It’s also designed for smooth migration from legacy systems like GSM-R, helping railways reuse existing infrastructure and manage costs while preparing for future demands.
Why 5G is a critical enabler for FRMCS?
5G brings capabilities that previous mobile technologies simply couldn’t deliver. Its ultra-low latency, high capacity, and support for massive IoT make it the right foundation for FRMCS. Unlike legacy systems, 5G allows mission-critical rail functions and data-driven services to run on the same network—securely and reliably.
This opens the door to a smarter, more connected railway environment. From resilient train control and faster data sharing to supporting real-time services onboard, 5G helps railways shift from static infrastructure to dynamic, digital operations built for the future.
The right architecture for 5G FRMCS
FRMCS needs a network that’s smart, robust, and ready for the demands of modern rail. Built on 5G, the architecture supports secure, high-performance connectivity across the entire system—from trackside sensors and onboard equipment to real-time video and automated train control.
It’s designed with geo-redundant radio and core elements, so operations can continue even if part of the network goes down. This kind of resilience, combined with the ability to handle both critical and non-critical traffic, gives railways a strong base to build on as their digital operations grow.
Features and benefits
Our solutions accelerate your digital transformation and help you prepare for the future by giving you more flexibility to meet the performance, reliability and connectivity requirements of FRMCS.
Support multiple spectrum bands
Take advantage of any available spectrum band between 600 MHz and 90 GHz, including licensed, shared access and unlicensed FDD and TDD bands.
Maintain the highest reliability
Ensure up to 99.9999 percent availability with a network that supports capabilities such as path redundancy, stateful virtualization and cloud core concepts. Our solutions also support 5G ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), a critical enabler for mission-critical communication and automation applications.
Use multiple access technologies
Flexibly support 3GPP and non-3GPP access technologies simultaneously. Our solutions support LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi and satellite connectivity and ensure a smooth migration to 5G.
Meet new critical communication demands
Prepare for mission-critical communication needs. Our solutions support LTE and 5G QoS features and ease application integration.
Shift to distributed networking
Boost scalability, performance and flexibility with an architecture that supports centralized and distributed deployment options. With a distributed deployment, you can deliver the ultra-low latency required for applications such as CCTV and video analytics.
Strengthen your cyber defense
Keep your networks, communications, assets and devices safe with an end-to-end security approach that combines a variety of techniques to provide an in-depth defense against cyberattacks.
Prioritize QoS for critical applications
Provide guaranteed bit rates for mission-critical services with flexible flow-based QoS, a 5G capability that separates critical and non-critical applications and data.
Slice your network
Use one common network infrastructure to provide cost-effective support for a wide range of railway applications. With 5G network slicing, you can create separate, dedicated railway operator networks or use public mobile operator slices to run non-mission-critical services.
Maintain performance at high speeds
Compensate for Doppler effects with features that ensure that your communication systems can perform reliably at speeds of more than 500 km/h.
Shaping the future of railways
Explore how 5G and FRMCS are transforming the railway industry by enabling next-generation connectivity, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving Industry 4.0 innovations. Discover real-world trials like Deutsche Bahn’s FRMCS deployment and learn about the evolution of mission-critical communications shaping the future of rail.
The future of railways and its communication systems
Accelerating investments to unleash the potential of FRMCS
FRMCS action plan / roadmap
Industry 4.0 opportunities for the railways
Deutsche Bahn FRMCS trials
The future of rail : FRMCS
Evolution of mission-critical communications in the railway industry
5G Rail laying tracks for FRMCS deployment
How do FRMCS use cases deliver value?
FRMCS brings modern communications into everyday rail operations. These use cases aren’t future concepts—they’re real examples of how better connectivity, including M2M communication, is helping railways move trains more safely, keep passengers informed, reduce downtime and run more efficiently.
Automated train operation
Increase operational efficiency, energy efficiency, train density and punctuality by supporting automated train operation (ATO) use cases.
- Precise positioning for obstacle detection, remote control and automation
- Critical video support for driverless trains (ATO levels 3 and 4)
- Future European Train Control System (ETCS), including train integrity
- Shunting automation
Passenger information systems
Improve the passenger experience and provide better individual mobility assistance with use cases that enhance and modernize passenger information systems.
- Smart connectivity of different transportation modes through a passenger app
- Enhanced real-time information on train status and seating availability
- Connectivity for wireless displays
- Video announcements on passenger devices
Smart station
Modernize station operations by using digital and communication technologies to improve safety, streamline passenger handling and save energy.
- CCTV, emergency management, incident response
- Automated monitoring to ensure that passengers get on and off trains safely
- IoT-based control of station facilities, including bins, vending machines, elevators, lighting, lifts, escalators and ventilation
- Smart power distribution and traction control systems
Smart rail maintenance
Streamline operations, improve safety and replace siloed solutions with use cases that simplify and automate maintenance of rolling stock, track and trackside assets.
- Augmented reality-enabled maintenance
- Automated rail flaw detection
- Predictive maintenance
- Remote-controlled drones for supervision
Management support systems
Make your business processes more efficient, increase automation and enable continuous optimization with use cases for management support systems.
- Unified management of main control systems
- Real-time information on traffic and passenger flows
- Automated processing for ticketing
- Use of digital twins to enable dynamic simulation of train operations and infrastructure
Smart infrastructure
Increase efficiency and safety by supporting use cases that help you digitalize the complete rail infrastructure.
- Connected railroad crossings and automated alerts
- Automated hazard detection
- Real-time management of traffic and passenger flows
- Flawless perception of vehicles and trackside through multi-modal sensing (cameras, radar, LIDAR)
Why choose Nokia?
Run your trains with confidence on a network built for rail. With decades of experience in railway communications and a full 5G portfolio, Nokia is ready to support your move from GSM-R to FRMCS—reliably and efficiently. Get real-time data where it needs to go. Keep video smooth, signals sharp, and systems in sync. Nokia is ready to be your trusted partner in delivering future-ready rail operations.
Experience
- Over 30 years of railway experience
- 140+ deployed networks
- #1 in GSM-R with 109k+km tracks across 22 countries
- Worldwide trusted partner for railways
Expertise
- Experts in mission-critical design, deployment, and operations
- Highest standards compliance levels with open design
- Best-in-class cybersecurity
Innovation
- Many firsts in mobile, IP, optical, data center, and cloud
- 10 Nobel prizes, 5 Turing awards, and other accolades through Bell Labs
- Leader helping to drive FRMCS standardization
Related solutions and products
Solution
Deploy a modern 5G private wireless network for railway operations.
Solution
Security operations for railway mission-critical communications networks
Solution
Optimizing rail networks with Nokia 5G radio access network (RAN) technology
Solution
Ensure safe and reliable operations
Solution
Build a converged backbone for your railway communications infrastructure
Solution
Put data center fabrics and clouds to work to accelerate your digital rail journey
Learn more about FRMCS
Image
Article
Article
Article
External news
Article
Blog
Customer success
Ready to talk?
Please complete the form below.
The form is loading, please wait...
Thank you. We have received your inquiry. Please continue browsing.