Get ready to climb aboard the digital train. 5G technology is coming to railroads across Europe. To prepare for the next generation of technology, UIC, the international union of railways, designed the Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMC), which is expected to be launched in 2025, and will replace the existing standard, the Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway.
Future trains will transmit and receive increasing volumes of data, allowing advanced monitoring using Internet of Things-connected sensors, smart maintenance and even autonomous engines. Not to mention gigabit-speed passenger communications service. Juan Manuel Melero, Head of Network Design & Optimization, Ericsson, recently wrote an article on how the railway communications network of the future will be designed.
“The future of rail depends on reliable critical mobile broadband connectivity that is powered by innovative 5G network solutions for faster, safer and greener travel,” Melero wrote. “For rail operators, this means greater management over the day-to-day services that passengers rely on to always reach their destinations on time.”
FRMCS is based on dedicated 5G spectrum for the railroad, but it also enables customer service provider (CSP)-based Gigabit train connectivity for passengers. CSPs can use network slicing to supplement the capacity required for railroad applications.
“This will be a game changer when it comes to railways, as the same technology can serve both FRMCS applications as well as advanced consumer requirements, such as video streaming, video-calling, or gaming – all this while on a train moving at up to 300 mph,” Melero wrote.
In November of last year, the European Union-funded 5GRail project launched its effort to validate specifications for FRMCS, as well as to develop prototypes. The $18 million, 30-month project will cover both trackside infrastructure and onboard applications, using 3GPP (Release 16) technology.
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