Nokia Launches 5G Solution for Digital Railway FRMCS
Nokia has unveiled a new commercial 5G radio solution designed to support advanced digital railway operations worldwide, laying the groundwork for the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS).
The breakthrough positions Nokia at the forefront of rail digitalisation, enabling smarter, safer and more efficient networks that promise significant benefits for passengers, operators and the environment.
Pioneering the transition from GSM-R to FRMCS
The Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) will supersede the ageing 2G Global System for Mobile Communications, Railway (GSM-R) within the next decade, establishing a global 5G-based standard for railway communications.
The 5G successor integrates high reliability and embedded security to deliver enhanced automation, new digital services, improved passenger experience and resilient cross-border connectivity.
Nokia, a global leader in railway communications with more than 20 years of GSM-R deployment expertise, has actively contributed to the development and standardisation of FRMCS through collaboration with rail operators, governments and industry bodies.
Nokia’s 5G radio: Built for mission-critical rail operations
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, highlights Nokia’s commitment to railway innovation.
He says: “Our commercial 5G solution reflects Nokia’s long-standing commitment to railway innovation and modernisation.
“As rail operators face increasing demands for digitalisation, high-speed data and enhanced safety, this technology provides the foundation for a new era of rail transport that is efficient, sustainable and passenger-focused.”
Nokia’s new 5G radio offers the industry’s first commercial radio operating in the 1900 MHz (n101) band, enabling strategic coexistence with existing GSM-R systems to assure seamless migration to 5G without operational disruption.
The solution’s cloud-native 5G standalone (SA) core is purpose-built for railway transport applications, supporting the full suite of FRMCS functionalities while remaining modular, scalable and adaptable for both regional and nationwide deployments.
- Automated train operations: Real-time control and monitoring enhance safety and operational efficiency, reducing energy consumption and emissions
- Passenger information systems: Delivering real-time data enhances the passenger experience and improves service reliability
- Mission-critical voice and data: Integrating voice, video and data services onto a singular platform streamlines network management and operational responsiveness
- Smart rail maintenance: Predictive maintenance enabled by real-time monitoring reduces costly downtime and maintenance overheads
The features collectively contribute to sustainable rail operations and digitised services, illustrating Nokia’s drive to propel the sector toward future-ready infrastructure.
Collaboration, compliance and future testing
Nokia’s comprehensive railway solution combines its AirScale 5G radio portfolio with its Core Enterprise Solution optimised for rail.
Its pairing ensures robust cybersecurity, compliance with stringent industry standards and seamless integration with Nokia’s mission-critical IP, optical and data centre networking products.
The solution will undergo real-world testing under the EU-funded FP2-MORANE-2 project, which builds on prior FRMCS initiatives aimed at accelerating railway digital transformation across Europe.
For telcos in the rail sector, Nokia’s 5G solution represents a critical step forward in operational modernisation.
By enabling an efficient, secure and scalable migration path from legacy GSM-R to FRMCS, Nokia empowers rail operators globally to meet the rising demands of automation, passenger services and sustainability.
