Why is FRMCS important?

The (European) railway sector has in recent years been busy upgrading their technology
platform by deploying new control systems like ETCS (European Traffic Control Systems)
under the umbrella of ERMTS (European Rail Management Traffic System) with the aim of
promoting interoperability of trains and standard harmonization within the EU. The ETCS is
currently leveraging connectivity from GSM-R communication system that is based on the
narrowband 2G technology standard.

However, GSM-R is becoming obsolete around 2030-2035 timeframe and will be succeeded by
a 5G based technology standard labelled FRMCS (Future Rail Mobile Communication
System). FRMCS will not only be replacing GSM-R but will be pivotal in enabling business
outcomes such as improved operational efficiency, increased capacity utilization, improved
security & safety as well as enabling new innovative service offerings.

The implementation of FRMCS is foundational for a railway operator in becoming a more data
driven company, where data allows for automation, deliver better insights and drives improved
decision making. With the improved connectivity provided by the underlying communications
platform based on 5G, it will enable emerging technologies like AI, Edge Compute, Digital
Twin and V2X to realize new advanced use cases that require high reliability and low latency.

FRMCS implementation will impact all parts of a railway organization and therefore must be
considered as an ecosystem led and complex digital transformation program during which
new technologies will be introduced, but more importantly new ways of working and mindsets
will have to be embraced.

Most important FRMCS use cases

Some railway operators are currently strategizing an extended range of use case in three
categories:

• Critical communication
• Performance communication
• Business communication

Critical communication use cases include ATO (Automatic Train Operation), Automatic Train
Protection (ATP), virtual coupling, collaborative communication and more. Use case examples
for Performance communication could be predictive maintenance or video surveillance, while
enhanced passenger experience such as providing high-speed connectivity needed to satisfy a
growing number of rail passengers is part of the last category of use cases labelled Business
communication.

Although 2030-time frame seems far away, leading railway operators have already for a while been
preparing for the close-down of GSM-R and introduction of FRMCS. Railway operators such as DB in
Germany and SNCF in France have initiated tests of several use cases to prepare themselves for the
shift that will allow them to create roadmaps as part of a digital transformation program.

Source: DSD (Digitale Schiene Deutschland), IDC, Nokia, Thales, Global Railway Review