Embracing FRMCS and 5G Technology
The landscape of railway communication is on the verge of a revolutionary transformation with the advent of Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) based on 5G technology. Railways are already in motion towards FRMCS, driven by the recognition that digital transformation and 5G/FRMCS integration offer significant business advantages. With market support for GSM-R technology ending around 2030, nearly 80% of railways have already initiated pilots or are planning their transition.
The next few years present a high opportunity for FRMCS planning as railways evaluate new use cases and invest in the necessary equipment and capabilities. Critical communication, performance communication, and business communication are identified as key use case categories. Investments made by over 60% of railways in 2023 indicate a commitment to embracing FRMCS and leveraging its transformative potential.
Understanding FRMCS
FRMCS is the global standard for revolutionizing railway communications. This mobile broadband-ready technology enhances safety and operational efficiency and supports innovative passenger services, accelerating the digital transformation of railway networks. By minimizing network latency and incorporating cloud technology, FRMCS automates train operations and facilitates broadband Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication.
At the heart of FRMCS lies 5G technology, acting as a critical enabler for its migration. With high capacity, performance, and reliability, 5G supports massive Machine Type Communication (MTC) and Internet of Things (IoT). FRMCS based on 5G ensures ultra-reliable, low-latency mission-critical communications, paving the way for innovative applications such as automated train control, predictive maintenance, and fast onboard Wi-Fi.
Addressing Challenges of Adopting FRMCS
While the FRMCS promises to be a transformative force in digitizing the railway sector, its universal acceptance and swift implementation within the industry face significant obstacles. In this White Paper, we delve into the forthcoming challenges and aim to evaluate how they can be effectively surmounted.
Unlocking the Potential of FRMCS in Railway Digitalization
FRMCS promises to be a key enabler in the digitalization of the railway sector, offering the potential for efficiency and reliability gains that align with policymakers’ expectations. However, amid macroeconomic instability and ongoing uncertainties related to war and pandemics, rail operators and infrastructure managers face the challenge of navigating competing investment priorities.
At a time when governments and transport authorities seek tangible improvements in the short term rather than over decades, allocating funds to asset enhancement, infrastructure renewals, rolling stock, and signaling systems may understandably take precedence over next-generation communications. Despite this, the reality is that current rail telecoms platforms, including the widely-used GSM-R, need to be updated or are facing obsolescence in the coming years.
Additionally, the transformative advancements envisioned by the rail sector, identified through research and innovation programs like Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail, depend heavily on high-capacity communications. The existing bearer networks, often relying on outdated 2G-era telecoms technology, may fall short in supporting critical functions such as train automation, real-time video monitoring of infrastructure, or entertainment streaming for passengers.
Despite these challenges, the industry has yet to universally embrace the case for migrating to FRMCS. Some railways and infrastructure managers remain unconvinced, emphasizing the need for a compelling argument. In this context, ongoing technology trials across Europe, facilitated by initiatives like Europe’s Rail and the Digitale Schiene Deutschland initiative in Germany, take on heightened significance.
The question is whether the industry can urgently demonstrate that FRMCS is progressing along a viable path toward technological maturity and affordability.
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities of FRMCS Affordability
Estimates and Challenges
Determining the affordability of FRMCS involves grappling with complexities. According to UIC estimates, the global investment in FRMCS could reach €50 billion. However, this seemingly straightforward figure oversimplifies the intricate and lengthy migration process from legacy systems, region by region. The nature of this migration is expected to vary by geography, with a notable distinction between Europe and the rest of the world.
European Focus and Global Flexibility
In Europe, the primary focus revolves around managing the transition from GSM-R to FRMCS harmonized and interoperable, aligning with the EU’s goal of developing a Single European Railway Area. The challenge lies in ensuring that the emergence of FRMCS does not impede the ongoing implementation of ERTMS. On the global stage, major rail markets outside Europe, such as India and Australia, present more flexibility and a pressing need to upgrade their telecoms infrastructure. Many routes in these regions still rely on traditional telephone working or lack voice and data connectivity.
Economic Challenges and Potential Two-Speed Migration
Despite the urgent need for FRMCS, concerns arise about economic viability, especially in emerging markets. The European rail industry association UNIFE warns of a potential two-speed rail telecoms migration. Some markets may opt for an intermediate 4G technology, impatient with the slow pace of Europeans finalizing standards for a 5G platform. UNIFE emphasizes the vital demand for introducing FRMCS in the short term in countries like Korea, Australia, India, and Russia.
Spectrum, Standards, and Hurdles
The cost of rolling out 5G-based systems involves significant considerations, with spectrum being a major factor. UIC reports positive developments in gaining acceptance from 3GPP, the global telecoms standards organization, for including FRMCS in the wider 5G release program. Spectrum access, particularly in Europe, has progressed with dedicated frequencies allocated in the 900 MHz and 1,900 MHz bands for railway use. However, challenges persist as the harmonized spectrum may not fully meet operational and business applications envisioned for FRMCS.
Infrastructure Redevelopment and Timescales
As the migration gains momentum, questions arise about the redeployment of existing telecoms infrastructure for 5G. Reusing base stations and legacy assets from GSM-R is hopeful, contingent on the specific geography of a given railway network. The timescale for the mass roll-out of FRMCS is expected to be phased, spanning at least 10-15 years, driven by the risk of GSM-R obsolescence. The pressure to start deployment as early as 2025-26 highlights the need for initial FRMCS specifications, with the possibility of formal inclusion in the Control Command & Signaling TSI revision.
5G Rail Research Project
The 5G Rail research project, launched in November 2020 with a budget of €13.3 million, focuses on costs and installation engineering time. The project aims to deploy prototypes of the FRMCS ecosystem, both trackside infrastructure and onboard equipment. The Telecoms Onboard Architecture (TOBA) plays a crucial role, combining all train-to-ground communications in a standardized onboard architecture using mainstream 5G components. Field tests and trials across European countries, including France, Hungary, and Germany, are anticipated to validate FRMCS specifications and contribute to a viable time-to-market for FRMCS products from the end of 2025.
Navigating Technology Choices for FRMCS Beyond 5G
As uncertainties surround the readiness of public telecom companies to deploy 5G and concerns over infrastructure costs for private networks persist, the landscape of digital railway connectivity is not solely reliant on 5G as a game-changer.
While 5G is the backbone for FRMCS, alternative technologies, particularly satellite and aerospace technology, are emerging as viable candidates for train location and detection applications, especially in rural areas.
Satellite Technology Initiatives
RFI has been at the forefront of exploring alternatives, leading to a cautious approach toward embracing FRMCS as envisioned. The pan-European ERSAT program integrates satellite technologies into railway applications, specifically within ERTMS. Italy has taken the lead in certifying satellite technologies for use with ETCS, with satellite networks being considered for communication between trains and the Radio Block Centre for ETCS operation. The ERSAT trials in southern Italy and rural Spain have contributed to developing FRMCS specifications.
UK and South Korea Initiatives
In the UK, the Satellites for Digitalisation of Railways (SODOR) project aims to demonstrate how communication satellites combined with terrestrial telecoms networks can enhance onboard connectivity for passengers and train operators. This project is part of a broader British initiative showcasing the use of 5G for transport and logistics applications.
The Korea Railroad Research Institute has also successfully tested train-to-train data communications using a directional antenna in South Korea, emphasizing the global nature of exploring alternative technologies.
These initiatives do not undermine the case for developing a 5G-led FRMCS program. Instead, they illustrate that the future of railway communications will likely involve a mix of complementary technologies. However, maintaining interoperability, open data principles, and future-proofing will be crucial. The rail industry and its partners must work diligently to uphold these principles, ensuring they remain central to the FRMCS rollout and other technological advancements in railway communication.
Unlocking Railway Potential With FRMCS
As the global rail industry emerges from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers are setting high expectations for swift progress in achieving the industry’s full potential. Central to this is delivering an outstanding customer experience and fulfilling broader societal benefits, particularly in reducing emissions through modal shift. However, given the current geopolitical instability and economic uncertainties, the industry faces the dual challenge of realizing these goals while minimizing upfront funding reliance on the public sector.
There is a growing consensus that the rail sector cannot afford to take decades to achieve transformational change, especially through digitalization. The urgency is underscored by the need for emissions cuts aligned with global climate goals, as the Paris Accord and COP26 emphasized. Climate objectives necessitate tangible gains by 2030, spanning various aspects of the industry, including automation, track maintenance, operating rules, and workforce recruitment and retention.
FRMCS is pivotal in this multifaceted challenge. While railways grapple with diverse investment priorities, the adoption of FRMCS has not witnessed an immediate surge. However, for the obstacles to adoption to be surmounted, a crucial factor emerges: the benefits of FRMCS, coupled with a commercially viable deployment roadmap, must be evident by the mid-2020s at the latest.
Encouragingly, signs of progress in finalizing the FRMCS specification and conducting field testing offer optimism. Attention is particularly focused on Germany, where a comprehensive test zone showcasing highly automated, digitally connected train operations in the Erzgebirge mountains could serve as a catalyst, propelling the industry forward and transforming the vision of FRMCS into a tangible reality.
Key Features and Benefits of FRMCS
Nokia’s comprehensive approach to FRMCS offers solutions that accelerate digital transformation and provide flexibility to meet performance, reliability, and connectivity requirements.
Some key features and benefits of Nokia’s FRMCS include:
- Support for multiple spectrum bands (600 MHz to 90 GHz).
- Highest reliability with up to 99.9999 percent availability.
- Flexibility to support 3GPP and non-3GPP access technologies simultaneously.
- Shift to distributed networking for scalability and ultra-low latency.
- Robust cyber defense with end-to-end security measures.
- Network slicing for cost-effective support of diverse railway applications.
- Maintenance of performance at high speeds, compensating for Doppler effects.
FRMCS Use Cases
Implementing 5G solutions opens the door to a range of promising FRMCS use cases, including:
- Automated train operation for increased efficiency and punctuality.
- Precise positioning for obstacle detection and remote control.
- Passenger information systems for enhanced travel experiences.
- Smart station operations with improved safety and energy efficiency.
- Smart rail maintenance through augmented reality and predictive maintenance.
- Management support systems for efficient business processes.
- Smart infrastructure for connected railroad crossings and hazard detection.
Choosing Nokia and Infinity as Your Partners
Nokia’s solutions emerged as a leader in the transition to FRMCS, backed by 30-plus years of railway experience, a complete portfolio of railway solutions, and turnkey services. With expertise in legacy-to-IP migration, best-in-class LTE/5G solutions, and contributions to standardizing next-generation railway technologies, Nokia is positioned to ensure a successful migration to FRMCS, meeting the highest safety, security, and efficiency standards.
The convergence of FRMCS and 5G technology marks a new era for railway communication, promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and passenger experiences. As railways globally embrace this transformative journey, strategic planning, phased adoption, and reliable technology partners will play pivotal roles in realizing the full potential of FRMCS.
Nokia is a trusted ally, ready to guide railways towards a successful transition and a future of unparalleled connectivity in the railway industry. And as Nokia’s Master Distributor in the USA for EIGHT years running, with extensive railway communications experience, Infinity is uniquely positioned to get your projects up and running.
Read The Full Nokia FRMCS White Paper >>
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