Nokia (NYSE: NOK) announced its new 5G radio solution, part of its AirScale portfolio, designed to deliver high-capacity, high-performance real-time communications to rail operators worldwide. The company’s solution is aimed at supporting a foundation for the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS).
The railroad industry is defining FRMCS as an upgrade to the current 2G Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R). FRMCS is becoming the next-generation global standard designed for all railways.
It is designed to enable enhanced automation and new digital applications along with improved passenger services and secure cross-border communication.
Nokia says the product launch features the industry’s first commercial 5G radio operating at 1900 MHz (Band n101) that is built for mission-critical communications. The company emphasizes its 5G solution supports strategic coexistence with legacy systems. In this way, railways can migrate to 5G to legacy systems like GSM-R with no disruption.