Nokia has unveiled a comprehensive high-speed, high-capacity, and low-latency Nokia 5G radio system, designed to operate in the 1900 MHz band. Combined with an optimized standalone (SA) 5G core built specifically for railway use, the solution provides operators with a platform for seamless migration to the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) on a global scale. This launch signals a major step forward in automated operations, sustainable transport and improved passenger services.
Nokia announced that its new Nokia 5G radio system is engineered to deliver resilient, high-capacity, and real-time communications for railway operators worldwide. Serving as the foundation of FRMCS, the solution strengthens the push toward smarter, safer, and more efficient rail systems. It incorporates the industry’s first commercial 5G radio for the 1900 MHz (n101) band, complemented by Nokia’s Core Enterprise Solution for Railways, purpose-built to accelerate digital transformation in the sector.
Over the coming years, FRMCS will upgrade the current 2G Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R) system to become the next-generation global standard for railways. Based on 5G technology, with integrated security and high reliability, it will enable increased automation, the adoption of new digital applications, advanced passenger services, and secure cross-border communication.
Nokia brings decades of railway communications expertise, having rolled out GSM-R networks in over 20 nations. Nokia has been at the forefront of defining FRMCS, cooperating closely with rail operators, governments, industry, and standardization bodies to ensure the global deployment.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: “The drive toward digitalization demands the kind of high-speed connectivity and data capabilities that legacy systems simply can’t provide, creating an urgent need for rail operators worldwide to modernize. Our commercial 5G solution, backed by decades of proven rail industry expertise, reflects our commitment to laying the foundation for the next generation of railway operations. We offer a future-proof, flexible technology platform that supports a smooth transition to FRMCS while improving operational efficiency, safety and the overall passenger experience.”
The newly introduced Nokia 5G radio system is designed for mission-critical communications and ensures strategic coexistence, allowing railways to migrate to 5G alongside legacy systems like GSM-R without disruption. Its cloud-native 5G SA core supports FRMCS functionalities across the transport stratum, offering modularity, flexibility and scalability for regional or nationwide deployments. It will also be tested under the EU-funded FP2-MORANE-2 project, building on earlier FRMCS initiatives to further propel European railway digitalization.
Moving to a 5G-capable platform offers powerful capabilities aligning with the operational requirements of modern railways, especially for cross-border applications. The main benefits are:
Automated train operations: Automated trains monitored and controlled in real-time for improved safety, reduced energy consumption and reduced emissions.
Passenger information systems: delivering real time updates and information to passengers for a better travel experience.
Mission-critical voice communication: combining voice, video and data on a unified platform for effective operation.
Smart rail maintenance: based on predictive analytics and monitoring to lower downtime and optimize maintenance expenditure
Through its AirScale portfolio, Nokia delivers the commercial 5G radio for the 1900 MHz band, integrated with its railway-optimized Core Enterprise Solution. The offering is complemented by Nokia’s extensive portfolio of mission-critical IP, optical and data center networking solutions. Every component meets the highest global standards and includes a cybersecurity system with strong security features.
