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      Ready for FRMCS: Ericsson shows the path from validation to rollout at InnoTrans 2026

      At InnoTrans 2026, September 22–25 at Messe Berlin, Ericsson will demonstrate how railway operators can move the 5G-based Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) from testing toward future deployment. Ericsson will show a practical path to get there – supporting migration from GSM-R and enabling critical operations and passenger connectivity on one secure network.

      News
      Sep 16, 2026
      AI-generated image of a train in an aboveground urban setting at sunset.

      The Ericsson showcase at the event brings together findings from FP2-MORANE-2 – the European program validating FRMCS through field trials along live railway lines – with deployment and planning experience from recent rail projects. While Europe is leading the FRMCS transition, significant opportunities for next-generation railway communications are also emerging globally, including in India and Australia. These include a next-generation communications network in Queensland, Australia, where Ericsson plays a key role in deploying the 5G-enabled Digital Radio System as part of Stage 1 of The Wave, the transformative public transport and rail infrastructure program connecting Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

      At the Ericsson stand, visitors will see the building blocks of an end-to-end rollout – from radio planning and coverage verification to device, interoperability and field testing – and how one standards-based 5G network can serve train control, operational communications, trackside applications and passenger broadband with predictable performance, resilience, and security.

      “Railway operators know the destination – FRMCS – but need a clear route to get there,” says Torsten Hunte, Head of Mission-Critical Networks Rail at Ericsson. “At InnoTrans, we will show how European interoperability testing and deployment experience can help rail operators move forward with a single, secure 5G network for mission-critical operations and passenger services. Beyond Europe, opportunities are also emerging in markets such as India and Australia.”

      The Ericsson demo at InnoTrans comes as Europe’s rail sector prepares to replace the ageing GSM-R system. FP2-MORANE-2 is now validating FRMCS connectivity, GSM-R interworking and multi-vendor interoperability in three integration laboratories ahead of field trials – key steps toward specifications that can support future European deployment.

      Why the transition matters

      • One resilient communications foundation for train control, operational teams and trackside systems.
      • Capacity for data-intensive services, including automation, operational video and mission-critical voice communication.
      • A standards-based, multi-vendor ecosystem designed for interoperability across networks and borders.
      • A structured migration path from GSM-R, supported by planning, testing and deployment tools.

      What visitors can experience at the Ericsson stand

      • FRMCS in action: results and test methods from FP2-MORANE-2 trials and validation.
      • The rollout journey: radio-network and antenna design, coverage verification, optimization and physical rail-site deployment.
      • Ecosystem readiness: device and network testing at Ericsson’s Device Test Lab in Düsseldorf.
      • The next wave of rail applications: automated operations, positioning, intelligent sensing and AI-supported maintenance alongside European Train Control System and Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk.

      Technology powering the showcase

      • Trackside coverage: Radio 8883 RW for high-capacity outdoor sites and compact Radio 4474 N100 for space- and power-constrained locations.
      • Low-latency processing: RAN Compute 6381 baseband equipment for time-critical rail communications.
      • Transport and synchronization: MINI-LINK 6355 mobile transport and Fronthaul 6585.
      • Flexible trackside coverage with small footprint: Purpose-built FRMCS-ready antennas 9011, 2405 and 2411 enabling reliable, high-capacity 5G connectivity in rail and tunnel environments combining multi-band, advanced beamforming, and efficient deployment.
      • Site resilience: Battery 6320 and Power 6308 for backup power and energy management.

      Event details

      • When: September 22–25, 2026
      • Where: InnoTrans, Messe Berlin, Hall 4.1, Booth 710
      • More information:

      5G for rail is a reality – are you ready? 

      Smart railways with mission-critical 4G and 5G

      Ericsson technology selected for Queensland rail network

      NOTES TO EDITORS:

      • FP2-MORANE-2 is a Horizon Europe-funded project testing FRMCS specifications in three laboratories and on five railway lines in Spain, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. Its results are expected to support future European rail standards.
      • Ericsson’s Device Test Lab in Düsseldorf tests connected rail devices against critical communications requirements.

       

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